HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Recruitment

Frank Doran: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if he will make a statement on senior staff appointments in the House.

Nick Harvey: Mr. Speaker announced on 28 June that Sir Philip Mawer had written to him saying he wished to step down from the appointment as Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards on 31 December 2007. By that date, Sir Philip will have served for almost six years. The Commission has agreed that the process of recruiting a successor by open competition should begin. The post was advertised in the press on 22 July and the Commission plans to make a recommendation for the House to consider early in the new Session.
	The Librarian was appointed on a three year contract in December 2004. The Commission has agreed to make the appointment permanent.
	The Serjeant at Arms was appointed on a three year contract starting in December 2004. Following the Tebbit review of the management and services of the House, involving a re-allocation of duties (including the creation of a new post to direct key support services and facilities for Members and others) and after careful consideration the Speaker accepted the House authorities' recommendation not to approve renewal of the contract. Further details on implementation of the Tebbit recommendations are contained in my answer to another question today from the Chairman of the Administration Committee.

Tebbit Review

Frank Doran: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what progress has been made on the Tebbit Review of Management and Services of the House.

Nick Harvey: The House of Commons Commission has fast tracked several areas of the Tebbit review on management and services. These include the amalgamation of Estates and Works; the expansion of the Office of the Clerk into that of the Chief Executive and the reorganisation of the Board of Management on functional lines.
	A new Parliamentary Director of Estates is to be appointed to take forward an estate strategy which will prioritise large and costly projects facing the House in the future, including refurbishment of the cast iron roofs and large scale mechanical and electrical works servicing the Chamber.
	The Commission has instructed the Clerk of the House to push ahead with a reorganisation of the Office of the Clerk (to be named Office of the Chief Executive) which will be at the centre of moving forward a coordinated strategy for achieving delivery of services, ensuring better planning, customer satisfaction and value for money which are highlighted in the Tebbit report. The Commission also approved proposals for restructuring of the Board of Management on functional lines in terms of Chamber and allied services, support facilities for Members, their staff and others on the estate, information and communication services (including IT/IS), and finance/HR, with the possibility of two external members of the board.

SCOTLAND

Departments: Legislation

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what legislative provisions introduced by his Department since 1997 have been  (a) repealed and  (b) not brought into force.

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which Bills introduced by his Department in the last five years did not contain sunset clauses; and if he will make a statement.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999 and has respectively supported and been responsible for two Acts; the Sunday Working (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Scottish Parliament (Constituencies) Act 2004. All the provisions of both Acts remain in force.

Elections

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date the request was received from the Electoral Commission Inquiry to bring forward legislation to allow it to access the ballot papers from the recent Scottish Parliamentary election.

David Cairns: A request from Mr. Ron Gould, who is leading the Electoral Commission's review of the Scottish elections in May, was received on 14 June 2007, for access to the electronic images of ballot papers. Following consultation with the Electoral Commission including statutory consultation on the draft order, legislation to allow access both to the electronic images and to the ballot papers themselves was introduced on 2 July, debated in both Houses on 17 July and approved by Parliament on 23 July.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Legal Costs

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Solicitor-General who the 10 highest paid barristers were in respect of fees paid by  (a) the Treasury Solicitors and  (b) the Crown Prosecution Service in each of the last three years; what the fee income was in each case for each year; and if he will make a statement.

Vera Baird: The information requested for 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 in respect of fees paid by the Treasury Solicitor and the Crown Prosecution Service has been placed in the Library.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Departments: Legislation

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what legislative provisions introduced by his Department since 1997 
	(1)  have not yet been brought into force;
	(2)  have been repealed.

Shahid Malik: None.

Departments: Official Visits

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was spent on overnight accommodation by civil servants within his Department's areas of responsibilities in the last 12 months.

Shahid Malik: It is not possible to disaggregate costs in respect of hotel accommodation without incurring a disproportionate cost. We are able to provide figures for travel and subsistence costs for our Department, which reflect all domestic and overseas travel for Ministers, Advisors and Officials and include costs for all travel, accommodation and subsistence. The cost for the last 12 months was £10,838,328.

Departments: Visits Abroad

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many overseas visits were made by  (a) officials and  (b) Ministers within his responsibility, and at what cost, in each year since 1997.

Shahid Malik: This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Since 1999, the Government have published on an annual basis, a list of all overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500, as well as the total cost of all ministerial travel overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. Information for 2006-07 is currently being compiled and will be published before the summer recess. All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code and the Ministerial Code.

Developing Countries: Water

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support he has given to governments in developing countries to provide  (a) training for water and sanitation workers and providers and  (b) education for water and sanitation workers and providers.

Gareth Thomas: DFID recognises that capacity building is vital to achieving the millennium development goal targets for water and sanitation. DFID supports a range of institutions and initiatives that have capacity building at the core of their work. In particular, DFID:
	funds capacity building networks such as the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council and the Global Water Partnership;
	works closely with UNICEF at country level in both Africa and Asia in its work in supporting governments implement water and sanitation projects and programmes, as well as centrally with their head office;
	works with others to build capacity e.g. DFID supports the World Bank's Community Driven Development Programme and is planning to provide funding for another World Bank programme building district level capacity in Ethiopia;
	funds programmes to strengthen research networks in developing countries (e.g. the £3.9 million RiPPLE programme in Ethiopia);
	will build on the work it has done in the past through the WELL Resource Centre supporting centres of excellence in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, India;
	is providing over £1 million of additional funding for the Partners for Water and Sanitation capacity building initiative, working in Ethiopia, South Africa, Uganda and Nigeria.
	DFID assesses the in-country capacity of the sector as part of its standard institutional appraisal for water projects and programmes, and when necessary includes a capacity building component.

Republic of Congo: Debts

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the Republic of Congo's (Brazzaville) compliance with its commitments under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative.

Gareth Thomas: DFID has not made its own assessment as it relies on the assessment of the IMF and World Bank, which administer HIPC. According to the Annual Report of the World Bank and IMF Boards in May 2006 the Republic of Congo's overall progress in the necessary reforms has been limited and slow. There have been improvements in the management of forestry, the social sectors and health, as well as in developing a poverty reduction strategy. However, there has been limited progress in procurement, debt management, the oil sector and civil society involvement in reducing corruption. There has been no progress in strengthening public investment management.

Sierra Leone: Palliative Care

Ian Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial support his Department has provided for palliative care in Sierra Leone in the last three years; what support is planned for the future; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: DFID has not provided financial support for palliative care in Sierra Leone within the last three years. DFID Sierra Leone has pledged £50 million over the next 10 years to strengthen basic health systems and is currently working on the design of a health programme.

TRANSPORT

Accidents: Yorkshire and Humberside

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) fatal and  (b) serious travel-related accidents there were in (i) the City of York and (ii) Yorkshire and the Humber in each year since 1992.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of reported fatal and serious personal injury road accidents in the City of York local authority and Yorkshire and the Humber in each year since 1992 are given in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of accidents 
			   City of York  Yorkshire and the Humber 
			   Fatal  Serious  Fatal  Serious 
			 1992 4 110 373 3,858 
			 1993 4 84 351 3,459 
			 1994 2 67 294 3,333 
			 1995 3 69 313 3,396 
			 1996(1) 3 59 292 3,220 
			 1997 7 111 295 3,175 
			 1998 4 70 286 3,001 
			 1999 8 106 285 2,922 
			 2000 12 73 288 2,800 
			 2001 6 108 299 2,858 
			 2002 8 103 294 2,893 
			 2003 8 70 296 2,808 
			 2004 7 94 288 2,709 
			 2005 9 71 276 2,507 
			 2006 6 114 278 2,538 
			 (1) In April 1996 the City of York local authority became a unitary authority and increased in size. 
		
	
	Information relating to light railways is not available, and providing the information requested for railway and air accidents would entail disproportionate costs.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance has been given to local authorities on the installation and use of automatic number plate recognition systems.

Jim Fitzpatrick: No specific advice has been given by the Department to local authorities on the installation and use of automatic number plate recognition systems.

Aviation: Security

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the adequacy of security measures at UK airfields from which private aircraft and pilots operate.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 23 July 2007
	Aviation security measures in the UK National Aviation Security Programme are constantly kept under review. We are working closely with the EU in considering the appropriateness of security measures for smaller aircraft. The security measures in the UK National Aviation Security Programme apply to aircraft over a certain size used for civil public transport purposes and the airfields from which they operate from.

Bicycles: Parking

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cycle parking spaces were installed by each highway authority in England in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not collected centrally.

Birmingham New Street Station

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport further to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield of 17 July 2007,  Official Report, columns 146-47, on Birmingham New Street, what further clarification of the further information is required from partners putting forward the redevelopment case for New Street station; and if she will make a statement.

Tom Harris: We are very clear that something has to and will be done to improve New Street station.
	This is fully recognised within the proposed funding provision for the railway for the next planning period (2009-14) and the funding elements for major improvements for the rail related aspects of Birmingham New Street station have today been announced as being given high priority by government.
	The proposals of Birmingham city council and its partners seek a very significant investment commitment from the public purse. The Department is therefore scrutinising these proposals carefully and has asked for information to ensure that the funding sought from government represents best value.
	This information includes alternative proposals for optimising the benefits of public investment and clarification of proposals for ensuring that the public sector's contribution is set at the right level.

Blue Badge Scheme

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  when she expects to announce the results of her Department's review of eligibility for the Blue Badge parking scheme;
	(2)  for what reasons people with inflammatory bowel disease are not eligible for the Blue Badge parking scheme; and if she will extend eligibility for the scheme to such people.

Rosie Winterton: The Blue Badge Disabled Parking Scheme is primarily designed to assist people with severe difficulty in walking. People with specific conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, are therefore not eligible for a badge unless their walking is very seriously affected.
	The Department for Transport (DFT) is currently conducting a strategic review of the Blue Badge Scheme, which will consider whether the scheme should be extended to other disability groups.
	The strategic review will report to DFT Ministers in September 2007. A subsequent announcement will follow prior to the publication of a comprehensive Blue Badge reform strategy by April 2008.

Bus Services

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bus services have been  (a) withdrawn and  (b) added to service (i) in total and (ii) in each traffic area region in each year since 2004-05.

Rosie Winterton: The information is not available without incurring disproportionate costs.

Bus Services

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the percentage change in bus usage in  (a) England,  (b) Yorkshire and the Humber,  (c) the City of York and  (d) London has been since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested for England, Yorkshire and the Humber and London is available from Table E of the "Public Transport Statistics Bulletin GB: 2006 Edition", a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library.
	The information for York is not available from DfT sources. York City council reported an increase in bus passenger journeys of 57 per cent. between 2000-01 and 2005-06 in its delivery report for its first local transport plan.

Bus Services: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent by her Department on bus subsidy in East Sussex in the last 12 months, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Rosie Winterton: The Department provides grants to local transport authorities through the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant, Rural and Urban Bus Challenge and Kickstart schemes. A total of £1.146 million was paid under these schemes to East Sussex county council in the financial year 2006-07. Figures are not available by parliamentary constituency.
	In addition, the Department pays Bus Service Operators Grant to operators of local bus services throughout the country but information on this expenditure is not collected on a parliamentary constituency basis.
	Information is not available in the form requested on local authority expenditure on bus support from the Government's unhypothecated Revenue Support Grant or their own resources.

Departments: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding her Department allocated to projects in  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex in each of the last 10 years.

Rosie Winterton: The following table shows the capital funding allocated to East Sussex county council in the local transport capital settlements from 1998-99 to 2007-08. From 2000-01 to 2007-08 the figures shown include block allocations for integrated transport block and highways capital maintenance, along with specific funding for major schemes.
	For most of the funding it has been for the county council to decide on its distribution between Eastbourne and the rest of the county, according to its local policies and priorities.
	
		
			  East Sussex council 
			   £ million 
			 1998-99 5.449 
			 1999-2000 5.478 
			 2000-01 8.043 
			 2001-02 10.061 
			 2002-03 10.767 
			 2003-04 10.694 
			 2004-05 11.955 
			 2005-06 10.931 
			 2006-07 12.005 
			 2007-08 10.473

Departments: Land

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what disposals her Department made of land in Hampshire in each year since 1997; and whether she required any of the land to be used for social housing.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport was formed in 2002 and since that date has disposed of the following plots of land in Hampshire:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2002 4 plots sold 
			 2003 0 plots sold 
			 2004 4 plots sold 
			 2005 8 plots sold 
			 2006 6 plots sold 
			 2007 (as at 17 April) 1 
		
	
	It is the responsibility of local planning authorities to identify and release land for housing as part of the planning process. This means that the requirement for the provision of social housing will need to be negotiated and agreed with the local planning authority. The Government have implemented a number of initiatives to assist with land supply for housing. A Register of Surplus Public Sector Land held by central Government bodies has been established. English Partnerships review the sites on the register to identify those which could have the potential for housing development. As of June 2007 there were over 700 sites on the register. Sites are continually being added as they are identified as surplus by landowners and removed once expressions of interest are received after a site has been marketed.

Departments: Legislation

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which Bills introduced by her Department in the last five years contained sunset clauses; and what plans she has for the future use of such clauses.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Of the enacted Bills introduced by the Department for Transport in the last five years one contains a sunset provision.
	Under section 16 of the Road Safety Act 2006 no order can be made under the new section 34D of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (orders relating to the alcohol ignition interlock programme) after the end of 2010 or such later date as the Secretary of State may specify by order, subject to any order by the Secretary of State terminating the restriction. In the intervening period ("the experimental period") section 16 imposes more limited restrictions on the making of orders under section 34D.
	The appropriateness of a sunset clause for the whole or any part of any proposed legislation is considered on a case by case basis. It is also addressed when a regulatory impact assessment relating to legislation is being prepared.

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will estimate the average cost of car insurance to the individual.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The latest insurance industry estimates available are for the year 2005 and are that the average cost of car insurance for all drivers is £370 per annum.

Motor Vehicles: Safety Measures

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress she has made in discussions with her EU counterparts on the Government's policy that motorists in the UK should not be required to use daytime running lights; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Secretary of State has not yet had an opportunity to discuss daytime running lights (DRLs) with her EU counterparts. However, the Department for Transport and the Secretary of State will continue to work with our EU partners on this subject to make sure the concerns of the UK Government are considered in any decision on the fitment and use of DRLs.

Motor Vehicles: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles in York pay reduced vehicle excise duty (VED) because they have smaller engines; and how many are exempt from VED because they are old vehicles.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The rate of vehicle excise duty (VED) is directly linked to engine capacity for motorcycles, tricycles and private and light goods vehicles registered prior to 1 March 2001. At the end of March 2007, the numbers of licensed vehicles within these tax classes, registered to keepers residing in the City of York unitary authority were as follows:
	
		
			  Tax class  Engine capacity  Number of licensed vehicles 
			 Private and light goods Not over 1549 cc 13,389 
			 Private and light goods Over 1549 cc 23,345 
			 Motorcycles Not over 150 cc 1,841 
			 Motorcycles 151 cc to 400 cc 312 
			 Motorcycles 401 cc to 600 cc 717 
			 Motorcycles Over 600 cc 1,492 
			 Tricycles Not over 150 cc 1 
			 Tricycles Over 150 cc 42 
		
	
	At the end of March 2007, there were also 850 licensed vehicles registered within the City of York that were exempt from VED due to them being constructed prior to 1 January 1973.

Railways: Poole

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans she has to increase capacity on commuter trains between Poole and London, measured by  (a) new carriages and  (b) passenger numbers; and when the new capacity will be rolled out.

Tom Harris: Stagecoach South Western replaced the train units that serve the train service to Weymouth from commencement of the new franchise (February 2007). The train service consisted of five car class 442 units with a capacity of 495 passengers which were replaced with five car class 444 units with a capacity of 520 passengers. The department is not aware of any further plans by Stagecoach South Western to increase capacity on this line.

Road Traffic Control: Ambulance Services

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment her Department has made of the impact of speed humps on ambulances; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has commissioned extensive research into the development of traffic calming technique. This research covers the impacts of road humps on vehicles, including ambulances, and their occupants. As a result, the Department recommends the use of 75 mm high (instead of the 100 mm maximum height permitted under regulations) road humps with shallow gradients, or speed cushions, where emergency services may be expected to pass on a regular basis.

Rolling Stock: Leasing

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost was to the public purse of the high speed trains fleet recently leased to SNCF; how long the period of the lease is; and what return is expected for  (a) the Exchequer and  (b) Eurostar.

Tom Harris: Eurostar UK Ltd. (EUKL) has recently leased its Regional Eurostar trains to SNCF to reduce the cost of stabling and maintaining trains for which it has no current use. The lease agreed with SNCF runs to 2013, however, the value of the deal is commercially sensitive and cannot be released in answer to this question. Income from the lease will accrue to EUKL, improving London and Continental Railways' (EUKL's parent company) overall financial position and reducing the Department for Transport's exposure to supporting Eurostar's costs. The Regional Eurostar trains were ordered by British Rail in 1991 at a cost of £180 million.

Shipping: Radioactive Materials

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether radioactive materials may legally be transported  (a) on passenger ferries and  (b) through the channel tunnel.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Provided that shipments are made in accordance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code there is no legal reason why radioactive material may not be transported by passenger ferry.
	Provided that shipments are made in accordance with the requirements and restrictions established in Volume F (Carriage of Dangerous Goods) of Eurotunnel's Safety Arrangements, there is no legal reason why radioactive material may not be transported through the channel tunnel.

Transport: Lancashire

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated cost was of the next best option (western route) which Lancashire County Council submitted in her Department as their major business scheme in 2005; what environmental mitigation measures were identified for this route; and what the estimated cost was of any such measures.

Rosie Winterton: Lancashire county council's 2005 major scheme business case for the Heysham to M6 link did not include an estimated cost for the next best option (the western route). However, it did include an explanation of the reasons why the local authority had rejected the western route. A copy of the business case is available on Lancashire county council's website at
	www.lancashire.gov.uk.

Transport: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much Government grant the City of York received for transport schemes in each year since the unitary authority was established.

Rosie Winterton: A local transport capital settlement is made annually and includes funding to support local transport projects. The settlements are published on the Department for Transport website at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/ltp/capital
	Most Government support for day to day highways and transport services is provided within the revenue support grant. It is up to local authorities to determine how much of this support to use on individual services according to their local policies and priorities.

Travel: Surveys

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average  (a) number and  (b) distance of trips as calculated by the National Travel Survey was by (i) car driver, (ii) car passenger, (iii) bus, (iv) walking and (v) other modes of transport for the purposes of (A) commuting, (B) business, (C) education, (D) escort education, (E) shopping and (F) other reasons, broken down by (1) sex and (2) ages (v) under 17 years, (w) 17 to 29 years, (x) 30 to 49 years, (y) 50 to 59 years and (z) over 60 years in the latest period for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) on 28 November 2006,  Official Report, columns 527-28W.

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been paid by the Department in consultancy fees to Deloitte and Touche in respect of its study into the possible outsourcing of elements of the work of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Payments to Deloitte and Touche LLP, from July 2006 (when the contract was awarded) to the end of June 2007, that are related to the current review of services provided by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency have been £1,072,904.

DEFENCE

Arborfield Garrison

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department plans to seek planning permission for more housing development at Arborfield Garrison prior to disposal of surplus property and land.

Derek Twigg: The Ministry of Defence is required to obtain market value when disposing of surplus assets. Officials work closely with English Partnerships, regional development agencies, local authorities and other key stakeholders when considering its disposal strategy. This will often include an assessment of development and regeneration opportunities which can be taken forward by prospective purchasers.
	Currently we are promoting the surplus land holdings at Arborfield Garrison within the emerging Local Development Framework for a residential-led mixed use re-development. This may lead to a planning application being made by MOD prior to disposal of the land.

Arborfield Garrison

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what area of land at Arborfield Garrison he expects to become surplus to his Department's requirements by 2012; and how much of that area is designated brownfield.

Derek Twigg: Arborfield Garrison consists of Rowcroft Barracks, Hazebrouck Barracks and West Court Officers' Mess that are due to become surplus to the Department's requirements by 2012. The site areas are respectively 50.753 hectares, 67.332 hectares and 28.393 hectares. In accordance with Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing, we consider most of the land holdings as previously developed land (often referred to as brownfield land).
	In addition there is 2.24 hectares not assigned to any of the above sites and a number of Service families accommodation, owned by Annington Homes Limited (AHL), that will become surplus to this Department and will be handed back to AHL under the terms of the 1996 Sale Agreement.

Armed Forces: Casualties

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many casualty admissions there have been to  (a) Selly Oak,  (b) Ramstein and  (c) other Ministry of Defence medical facilities from (i) Operation Telic, (ii) Operation Herrick and (iii) other theatres in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) (formerly CDM), officially opened at Selly Oak in April 2001. Figures prior to this date are not available. Since opening, RCDM has handled the following numbers of patients who will have been admitted to any of five separate hospitals in Birmingham (this includes Selly Oak hospital). RCDM is the main reception centre for our casualties from all operations. The figures include all war fighting and non-war fighting physical injuries and illnesses. Figures for other operations include deployed operations, permanent operations, Permanent Joint Operating Bases, British Forces Germany, all Royal Navy ships and overseas locations, and exercise areas of all three services.
	The admissions to RCDM from Operation Telic (commenced in 2003) are shown in the following table:
	
		
			   Total 
			 2003 512 
			 2004 430 
			 2005 321 
			 2006 353 
			 2007 (1)178 
			 (1) January to June 
		
	
	Admissions to RCDM from Operation Herrick (commenced in 2005):
	
		
			   Total 
			 2005 24 
			 2006 113 
			 2007 (1)145 
			 (1) January to June 
		
	
	Admissions to RCDM from other operations:
	
		
			   Total 
			 2001 393 
			 2002 504 
			 2003 146 
			 2004 477 
			 2005 598 
			 2006 557 
			 2007 (1)248 
			 (1) January to June  
		
	
	With regard to the number of admissions to the United States medical facility in Ramstein, Germany, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy my letter in the Library of the House.
	Field hospital admissions and Aeromedical figures are published on a fortnightly basis on the MOD website and updated regularly.
	Statistics for other theatres of operations from 1997 onwards are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Housing

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many faulty  (a) gas and  (b) electrical appliances in accommodation maintained by Modern Housing Solutions were repaired or replaced in each year since 2005.

Derek Twigg: Modern Housing Solutions (MHS) has only been responsible for the maintenance of service families accommodation in England and Wales since January 2006.
	MHS does not separately identify the information requested.

Armed Forces: Private Education

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on providing education in independent schools for the children of  (a) officers and  (b) other ranks of the armed forces in the last year for which figures are available.

Derek Twigg: Information on cost details of Service Education Allowances that have been spent by Service parents to help provide education for their children at independent schools is not held. When an eligible Service parent claims a Service Education Allowance, it can be used to help provide continuity of education for their child(ren) in either the independent or state maintained school sector; this is the parents' choice. The allowances can also be used at independent or state maintained education establishments that offer professional or vocational qualifications for the post-16 age group. All of these schools and establishments are listed on the Ministry of Defence's Accredited Schools Database.
	The net cost of Service Education Allowances for the academic year 2005-06 was £93.6 million and for 2006-07 is estimated to be £93.7 million.
	From 1 April 2007, all Service Education Allowances are now managed by the Joint Personnel Administration system. I am able to provide information on the number of Service Education Allowance claimants for 2005-06. This is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Service  Officers  Other ranks  Total 
			 Royal Navy 920 457 1,377 
			 Army 2,675 1,605 4,280 
			 Royal Air Force 1,286 971 2,257 
			 Total claimants 4,881 3,033 7,914 
		
	
	Information on the cost for officer and other rank claimants from the legacy single Service administration systems could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Temporary Accommodation

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost was of placing service families in hotels in each year since 2005.

Derek Twigg: Records of hotel costs in England and Wales incurred prior to 1 January 2006 are no longer available. However, the costs incurred since January 2006 are:
	January-December 2006: £49,081
	January-30 June 2007: £28,271
	It will take more time to identify hotel costs for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Overseas and I will write to the hon. Member. A copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Defence Export Services Organisation

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Defence Export Services Organisation.

Bob Ainsworth: I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 16 July 2007,  Official Report, column 13W.

Departments: Air Conditioning

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent by his Department and its agencies on the hire of mobile air conditioning units in each of the last five years.

Derek Twigg: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departments: Crime

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criminal offences have been created by primary legislation sponsored by his Department since October 2006.

Derek Twigg: The Ministry of Defence has sponsored one piece of primary legislation since October 2006; the Armed Forces Act 2006. That Act maintains in force, with modifications, a number of offences which are currently in the Service Discipline Acts (the Army Act 1955, the Air Force Act 1955 and the Naval Discipline Act 1957). A summary of the main offences in the Act is as follows.
	Assisting an enemy, section 1
	Misconduct on operations, section 2
	Obstructing operations, section 3
	Looting, section 4
	Failure to escape etc, section 5
	Mutiny, section 6,
	Failure to suppress mutiny, section 7
	Desertion, section 8,
	Absence without leave, section 9,
	Failure to cause apprehension of deserters or absentees, section 10,
	Misconduct towards a superior officer, section 11
	Disobedience to lawful commands, section 12
	Contravention of standing orders, section 13
	Using force against a sentry, section 14
	Failure to attend for or perform duty etc, section 15
	Malingering, section 16,
	Disclosure of information useful to an enemy, section 17,
	Making false records etc, section 18,
	Conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline, section 19,
	Unfitness or misconduct through alcohol or drugs, section 20,
	Fighting or threatening behaviour etc, section 21,
	Ill-treatment of subordinates, section 22,
	Disgraceful conduct of a cruel or indecent kind, section 23,
	Damage to or loss of public or service property, section 24,
	Misapplying or wasting public or service property, section 25,
	Obstructing or failing to assist a service policeman, section 27,
	Resistance to arrest etc, section 28,
	Offences in relation to service custody, section 29,
	Allowing escape, or unlawful release, of prisoners etc, section 30,
	Hazarding of ship, section 31,
	Giving false air signals etc, section 32
	Dangerous flying etc, section 33,
	Low flying, section 34,
	Annoyance by flying, section 35,
	Inaccurate certification, section 36,
	Prize offences by officer in command of ship or aircraft, section 37,
	Other prize offences, section 38,
	Attempts, section 39,
	Incitement, section 40,
	Aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring, section 41,
	Sections 42 to 48 do not create offences but provide for criminal conduct punishable by the law of England and Wales to be dealt with under the 2006 Act.
	Failure to attend a hearing following release from custody after charge, section 107
	Service restraining orders, section 229
	Financial statement orders, section 266
	Failing to provide a drug sample, section 305
	Failing to comply with requirement for a sample for analysis, section 306,
	Misbehaviour in court etc, section 309
	Aiding or abetting etc desertion or absence without leave, section 344
	Aiding or abetting etc malingering, section 345,
	Obstructing persons subject to service law in course of duty, section 346.

Departments: Legislation

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what legislative provisions introduced by his Department since 1997 have not yet been brought into force.

Derek Twigg: The MOD has been responsible for the introduction of four Acts since 1997.
	The Armed Forces Discipline Act 2000 and The Armed Forces Pay and Compensation Act 2004 are both in force.
	The Armed Forces Act 2001, with the exception of three sections, is in force. It is intended to bring the Armed Forces Act 2006 fully into force by January 2009.

Departments: Manpower

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff at the Main Building, Whitehall funded by the public purse in his Department are classified as people without posts.

Derek Twigg: Fewer then five staff at Main Building are classified as people without posts. Due to the low numbers involved the information is not broken down further as this could identify the individuals and breach disclosure and confidentiality policy.

Departments: Visits Abroad

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many overseas visits were made by  (a) officials and  (b) Ministers within his responsibility, and at what cost, in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Since 1999, the Government have published on an annual basis, a list of all overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500, as well as the total cost of all ministerial travel overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Library of the House. Information for 2006-07 is currently being compiled and will be published before the summer recess. All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code and the Ministerial Code.

Ex-servicemen: Pay

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average time period between discharge and payment of gratuity was for persons leaving each service in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: Information on the average time period between discharge and payment of gratuities (i.e. discharge related grants and pensions) since 1997 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Modern Housing Solutions: Standards

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the results of all customer satisfaction surveys carried out for his Department by Modern Housing Solutions since 2005.

Derek Twigg: Modern Housing Solutions (MHS) has been delivering services since 1 January 2006, producing monthly progress reports for occupants. The report for June is published on its website at: www.modernhousingsolutions.com/assets/documents/update.pdf and includes the results of MHS's customer satisfaction survey for weeks ending 1 March to 24 May 2007.
	It will take a little time to collate the requested information for the period 1 January 2006 to the end of February 2007. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legal provisions are in place to prevent  (a) the preaching of hatred and  (b) incitement to commit criminal acts against the Jewish community in England and Wales; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: Part III of the Public Order Act 1986 contains a number of offences covering acts intended or likely to stir up racial hatred. These include: use of words or behaviour or display of written material which is threatening, abusive or insulting; publishing or distributing such written material; presenting or directing a public performance of a play involving the use of threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour; distributing, showing or playing recordings of images or sounds which are threatening, abusive or insulting; providing, producing, directing or appearing in a programme service involving threatening, abusive or insulting visual images or sounds; and possessing threatening, abusive or insulting written material or recordings of visual images or sounds with a view to displaying, publishing, distributing or playing them in a programme service. Anti-Semitic hatred is covered by these offences as Jews are defined as a racial group. The maximum penalty for inciting racial hatred is seven years' imprisonment.
	In addition to the range of existing incitement offences, the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 created nine racially-aggravated offences, including assaults, criminal damage and harassment, which make available to the courts higher maximum penalties where there is evidence of racist motivation or racial hostility in connection with the offence. The Act also requires a judge or magistrate dealing with any offence which is racially-aggravated to state in open court that they have found it to be so aggravated, and therefore meriting an increased sentence.
	The Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 introduces a requirement for courts to take account of racial or religious motivation in sentencing for other offences.

Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance she has  (a) given and  (b) plans to give to the Jewish community in England and Wales to protect it against attacks and violence; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: I can assure the hon. gentleman that this Government take all attacks and violence seriously, and particularly those motivated by prejudice and hatred. We have in place a programme of work to tackle all hate crime, including that motivated by anti-Semitism, based on: increasing reporting; ensuring a more effective response from authorities; bringing more offences to justice; using local data to prevent hate crime from happening in the first place; and better understanding the extent and nature of all hate crimes.
	If any members of the community have been the subject of an attack or violence, they should contact the police immediately. If they are worried that they may be the subject of an attack or violence, they should contact their local police Crime Prevention Officer, who can offer specific advice as to protective security measures that may be taken.

Antisocial Behaviour: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the levels of perception of antisocial behaviour in  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex.

Vernon Coaker: The data are not available in the form requested. Antisocial behaviour (ASB) is measured through a measure of perceptions using the British Crime Survey (BCS). The size of the sample in the British Crime Survey means that we cannot provide reliable data for geographical areas smaller than police force areas. This applies both to the local authority level of Eastbourne and the county level of East Sussex. Due to changes in the measure of antisocial behaviour, police force area data comparable to the national figures are only available for 2004-05 to 2006-07, and the national measure of perceptions of ASB only back to 2001-02.
	The following table sets out the national BCS figures for the last six years and the comparable figure for Sussex police force area.
	
		
			  Percentage of people perceiving high levels of ASB in their local area 
			  Percentage 
			   National  Sussex police force area  Statistically significantly different (at the 95 per cent. level) from the national average 
			 2001-02 19 — — 
			 2002-03 21 — - 
			 2003-04 16 — — 
			 2004-05 17 17 No 
			 2005-06 17 14 No 
			 2006-07 18 15 No 
			  Note: The measure of antisocial behaviour used is based on a scale constructed from seven questions on problems due to noisy neighbours or loud parties, teenagers and young people hanging around, rubbish and litter, vandalism, people using or dealing drugs, people being drunk or rowdy and abandoned cars.

Asylum: Poole

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers resident in Poole have been waiting for three months or longer for initial decisions to be made.

Liam Byrne: Information on numbers of asylum applications and decision outcomes relating to asylum seekers in particular areas of the UK is not collated as are statistics regarding the location of asylum seekers not in receipt of support.
	There were no asylum seekers recorded as receiving asylum support in Poole as at the end of March 2007.
	The numbers of asylum seekers in receipt of support, broken down by Government office region and local authority, are published on a quarterly and annual basis. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	Further breakdowns of those in receipt of support, by parliamentary constituency, are also available from the Library of the House.

Asylum: Poole

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have arrived in Poole in the last five years.

Liam Byrne: Statistics on the location of asylum seekers in the UK are linked to the available information on the support that the asylum seeker receives. The numbers of asylum seekers in receipt of support are available broken down by Government office region, local authority and parliamentary constituency.
	The following table shows the number of asylum seekers recorded as receiving asylum support in Poole as at the end of each year for the last five years. These figures exclude any asylum seekers who may be living in Poole but not receiving support.
	The numbers of asylum seekers in receipt of support, broken down by Government office region and local authority, are published on a quarterly and annual basis. Copies of these publications are available from the Library
	
		
			  As at the end of December:  In dispersed accommodation  In receipt of subsistence only support  Total in receipt of support 
			 2002 0 10 10 
			 2003 0 5 5 
			 2004 0 (1)— (1)— 
			 2005 0 5 5 
			 2006 0 (1)— (1)— 
			 (1) 1or 2  Note: All figures are rounded to the nearest 5.

Asylum: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applicants she estimates are living in York.

Liam Byrne: Statistics on the location of asylum seekers in the UK are linked to the available information on the support that the asylum seeker receives. The numbers of asylum seekers in receipt of support are available broken down by Government office region, local authority and Parliamentary constituency.
	As at the end of March 2007 there were fewer than three asylum seekers receiving support in York. This figure excludes any asylum seekers who may be living in York but are not receiving support.
	The numbers of asylum seekers in receipt of support, broken down by Government office region and local authority, are published on a quarterly and annual basis. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	Further breakdowns, of those in receipt of support by parliamentary constituency, are also available from the Library of the House.

BAE Systems: Saudi Arabia

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests she and her Department have received from the United States Administration for co-operation in the US Department of Justice's investigation into the Al Yamamah arms deal; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: I can confirm that the Home Office has received a request for assistance from the USA in respect of corruption allegations concerning BAE Systems. The request will be dealt with in accordance with the bi-lateral treaty on mutual legal assistance between the UK and the USA. It would be inappropriate to comment further.

Crime: North Yorkshire

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) violent crimes and  (b) crimes were recorded in (i) North Yorkshire and (ii) City of York in each of the last 10 years.

Vernon Coaker: The available information relates to the North Yorkshire police force area and the York Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) area and is given in the tables.
	
		
			  Table 1: Recorded offences of violence against the person and total crime—1997 
			   Violence against the person  Total crime 
			   York CDRP  North Yorkshire  York CDRP  North Yorkshire 
			 1997 n/a 2,425 n/a 50,252 
			 n/a - not available 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Recorded offences of violence against the person and total crime—1998-99 to 2001-02 
			   Violence against the person  Total crime 
			   York CDRP  North Yorkshire  York CDRP  North Yorkshire 
			 1998-99 n/a 4,827 n/a 55,309 
			 1999-2000 n/a 5,101 n/a 53,554 
			 2000-01 1,504 4,895 19,291 51,532 
			 2001-02 1,656 5,624 22,890 59,125 
			 n/a = Not available  Notes: 1. The coverage was extended and counting rules revised from 1998-99. Figures from that date are not directly comparable with those for 1997. 2. The data in this table is prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Recorded offences of violence against the person and total crime—2002-03 to 2006-07 
			   Violence against the person  Total crime 
			   York CDRP  North Yorkshire  York CDRP  North Yorkshire 
			 2002-03 2,575 8,108 25,630 67,239 
			 2003-04 3,459 9,610 29,347 71,473 
			 2004-05 4,000 12,045 23,080 61,615 
			 2005-06 3,810 11,473 22,784 58,850 
			 2006-07 3,285 10,087 20,935 54,526 
			  Note: The data in this table takes account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Crimes of Violence: Southampton

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce the incidence of violent crime in Southampton.

Vernon Coaker: The Government are currently taking forward a very full range of work which will continue to reduce violent crime. We have, for example, recently passed the Violent Crime Reduction Act, which gives the police and local communities the powers they need to tackle guns, knives and alcohol-related violence.
	Southampton is one of the areas included in the Tackling Violent Crime Programme, through which the Home Office is working intensively with practitioners in a number of local areas with high levels of more serious violent crime, to support their efforts to reduce alcohol-related crime and domestic violence, to improve police and other agencies' performance and partnership working, and to improve local strategies.
	Southampton was also the first area in the South East to adopt a violence prevention initiative based on Accident and Emergency Unit information sharing. This follows a successful model of community violence prevention developed in Cardiff, which has demonstrated that hospital A&E intelligence can be pivotal in directing violence reduction initiatives, and ultimately reducing the harm caused by violent crime.
	Sexual violence is also a priority. Funding has been provided this year for the Southampton Rape Crisis and Abuse Centre, a registered charity providing support, advocacy, counselling and therapy, and for No Limits, Southampton, an organisation which provides information, advice and counselling services for young people. Two independent sexual violence advisers, who provide targeted professional support to victims of sex crimes, are based in Southampton.
	Southampton Safe City Partnership are engaged in, and sponsor, a range of initiatives, including:
	Improved crime recording and analysis
	Domestic violence advocacy to assist victims and reduce repeat offending
	Dedicated hate crime and harassment reporting line to the police and local authority
	Extended Designated Public Places Order use
	Test purchases with on and off licences
	CCTV in taxi cabs
	Best Bar None Scheme
	Taxi Marshals
	Nightlink Bus
	Dedicated police monitoring of CCTV to identify incidents of violence early.

Departments: Postal Services

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what volume of correspondence her Department sent  (a) by Royal Mail and  (b) by other commercial delivery services in each of the last five years; and what the reasons were for the use of other commercial delivery services.

Liam Byrne: Information on the volumes of correspondence sent by Royal Mail and by other commercial delivery services for the last five years are not held.
	The volume of correspondence dispatched from the Home Office headquarters in 2 Marsham Street in year 2006-07 sent by Royal Mail comprise 32,902 individual items and 6,613 sacks of mail (approximately 200 items per sack). Other commercial mail delivery services were not used in 2006-07 other than limited use of courier companies.

Driving Under Influence: Great Yarmouth

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many instances of drink driving there were in Great Yarmouth in each of the last 10 years, broken down by  (a) age and  (b) sex.

Vernon Coaker: Screening breath tests data held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform are available by police force area only. Information is not collected centrally on the age or sex of persons required to take a screening breath test.

Drugs: Crime

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of crimes committed have been identified as having drug and alcohol abuse as a  (a) primary and  (b) contributory factor, broken down by category of crime; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The information requested is not available centrally from the recorded crime statistics. It is not possible to identify whether alcohol or drug abuse are contributory factors since the circumstances of individual crimes are not collected in the statistics.

Entry Clearances: Waiting Lists

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average waiting time was for  (a) visa and  (b) leave to remain applications in each year since 1997.

Meg Munn: I have been asked to reply.
	UKvisas do not keep statistics on average waiting times for visa applications. Since 2005, UKvisas performance has been measured against the following Public Service Agreement (PSA) standards:
	PS A 1: 90 per cent. of straightforward non-settlement applications to be processed within 24 hours.
	PS A 2: 90 per cent. of non-settlement applications requiring further enquiries or interview to be processed within 15 days.
	PS A 3: 90 per cent. of settlement applications to be processed within 12 weeks.
	UKvisas exceeded these standards in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 financial years. In 2004-05, 91 per cent. of PSA 1 applications were processed within 24 hours, 90 per cent. of PSA 2 applications were processed within 15 days and 99 per cent. of PSA 3 applications processed within 12 weeks. In 2005-06, 93 per cent. of PSA 1 applications were processed within 24 hours, 94 per cent. of PSA 2 applications were processed within 15 days and 97 per cent. of PSA 3 applications processed within 12 weeks.
	Prior to 2004, service delivery was measured against target times for length of interviews which entry clearance officers were required to meet rather than the total time taken to process visa applications. Figures for the 2006-07 financial year are not yet available.
	The Border and Immigration Agency do not keep statistics on average waiting times for leave to remain applications. Performance is measured against the published service standards which can be found on the immigration website at:
	http://www.ind.homeoftice.gov.uk/6353/11464/servicestandardsapr07.xls.

Firearms: Crime

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people under the age of 21 have been charged with firearms offences in each of the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: Information on charges brought by the police are only held by the police themselves and not reported to the Office for Criminal Justice Reform.
	However, data on cases brought to court are collected, and information on the number of persons under 21 years of age proceeded against for firearms offences in England and Wales for the years 2001-05 is provided in the table.
	Data for 2006 will be available in the autumn.
	
		
			  Number of persons aged under 21 years proceeded against at magistrates courts for firearms offences, England and Wales 2001-05( 1,2,3) 
			   Number proceeded against 
			 2001 1,193 
			 2002 1,014 
			 2003 959 
			 2004 1,273 
			 2005 1,444 
			 (1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) See the following offence table for offences used. 
		
	
	
		
			   Offence 
			  Indictable firearms offences  
			 514-516 Possession of firearms with intent to endanger life or injure property 
			 517-519 Using firearms with intent to resist arrest 
			 813-815 Possessing firearms at time of committing, or being arrested for, an offence 
			 816-818 Possessing firearms with intent to commit an indictable offence or resist arrest 
			 823-825 Possessing firearms with intent to cause fear of violence 
			 8103 Possessing firearms or ammunition without certificate (Section 1)((2)) 
			 8115 Shortening a shot gun 
			 8104 Possessing shot gun without certificate 
			 8109-8110 Selling firearms to person without a certificate 
			 8117 Possessing or distributing prohibited weapons or ammunition 
			 8126-8127 Carrying loaded firearm in public place 
			 8135-8137 Possession of firearms by persons previously convicted of crime 
			 8170 Possessing or distributing prohibited weapons designed for discharge of noxious liquid etc.((2)) 
			 other81 Other indictable offence 
			   
			  Summary firearms offences  
			 11504 Non-compliance with condition of firearms certificate (Section 1)((3)) 
			 11528 Carrying air weapon or imitation weapon in public place((4)) 
			 11532-11534 Trespassing with firearm on land 
			 11541-11543 Person under 17 acquiring firearm subject to control under Section 1 
			 11559-11560 Making false statement in order to procure grant or renewal of firearm or shot gun certificate 
			 11506 Non-compliance with condition of shot gun certificate 
			 11546 Person under 14 having an air weapon or ammunition 
			 11547 Person under 17 having an air weapon in a public place 
			 other 115 + 14103 Other summary firearms offence

Foreign Workers: Health Professions

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what data were used to make statements in the Race Equality Impact Assessment on the changes in immigration rules for postgraduate doctors and dentists, where those data are not provided within the assessment itself.

Jacqui Smith: The Race Equality Impact Assessment on the changes in the immigration rules for postgraduate doctors and dentists drew upon management information provided by Work Permits (UK) and discussions with the Department for Health on the increasing competition for training programmes.

Identity Cards

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the identity cards pilot scheme is expected to report; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: holding answer 19 July 2007
	There has yet to be a pilot of the identity cards scheme. However, there is provision in section 44(4) of the Identity Cards Act 2006 that will enable provisions of the Act to be brought into force in stages so as to allow for a trial in a particular area or relating to a particular category of persons. It also allows for transitional provisions following any such trial.

Identity Cards: Travelling People

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the implications of the introduction of identity cards for Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Meg Hillier: Issues relating to the Gypsy and Traveller communities were raised as part of the consultation on identity cards legislation and were included in the summary of responses, published in October 2004 (Cm 6348). Once identity cards are introduced, it is expected that Gypsies and Travellers would be able to apply for an identity card at the same time as applying for a passport.

Immigration: Bulgaria

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate her Department has made of the number of  (a) Romanians and  (b) Bulgarians (i) available to fill the agricultural labour requirement in 2008; and what assessment she has made of whether they possess the necessary skills.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 23 July 2007
	The seasonal agricultural workers scheme is a low skilled scheme designed to help meet any shortfall in the supply of seasonal labour from within the UK and those ED states with access to our labour market. As this is a low skilled scheme, we contract with operators to undertake with the individual the necessary assessment of suitability.
	A recent International Organisation for Migration (IOM) survey in Bulgaria and Romania shows there is good reason to believe A2 nationals will offer an adequate pool of SAWS recruits. The survey found that 5 per cent. of the sample of respondents (which was representative of the population at large) would consider working in the UK. Of those 50 per cent. would consider working in agriculture and 38 per cent. intended to remain for less than six months. We are in regular contact with the operators and our embassies in Romanian and Bulgaria and will continue to monitor the situation.

Offensive Weapons: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were  (a) injured and  (b) killed as a result of knife crime offences in (i) Eastbourne and (ii) East Sussex in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: The information available centrally relates to homicides by sharp instrument recorded each year between 1997-98 and 2005-06. As figures are not collected below police force area level, data relating to Sussex police are given in the following table.
	
		
			  Offences currently recorded( 1)  as homicide by sharp instrument( 2) : Sussex police, 1997-98 to 2005-06 
			  Year offence initially recorded  Number recorded 
			 1997-98 4 
			 1998-99 4 
			 1999-2000 5 
			 2000-01 5 
			 2001-02 6 
			 2002-03 9 
			 2003-04 3 
			 2004-05 9 
			 2005-06 5 
			 (1) As at 9 October 2006: figures subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information comes to light. (2) Includes all sharp instruments, including knives.  Source: Based on England and Wales totals as published in 'Homicides, Firearm Offences and Intimate Violence 2005-06' (Home Office Statistical Bulletin 02/07).

Passports: Fraud

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which consultants were employed by the  (a) Identity and Passport Service and  (b) her Department to examine and give advice on passport security and fraud detection and prevention in each of the last five years; what the (i) duration, (ii) purpose and (iii) cost was of each contract; what reports were submitted; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: holding answer 23 July 2007
	IPS has not generally awarded specific consultancy contracts for advice on passport security, fraud detection and prevention. It has operated a model of engaging specialist contractors on an interim management basis to provide guidance and knowledge to supplement in-house expertise.
	Two contracts were awarded in 2004 on a consultancy basis. These are in the following table:
	
		
			  Contractor  Work  Date  Price (£) 
			 Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP Development of a testing strategy for establishing extent and nature of fraudulent applications February to April 2004 62,790 
			 BDA Training Implement common sampling process for detection of fraudulent passport applications November to December 2004 17,850

Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions her Department has had with operators of the seasonal agricultural workers scheme on the future of the scheme; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 23 July 2007
	There have been a number of meetings, both at ministerial and official level, with operators and their representatives since October 2006 about the future of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS). Those discussions have centred on the implications of the Government's obligations regarding EU Community preference, restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian nationals and the future role of the Migration Advisory Committee.

Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the ability of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme to fill the requirement for agricultural labour in 2008.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 23 July 2007
	The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) allows farmers and growers in the UK to recruit overseas workers to undertake work that is both seasonal and agricultural. The scheme helps to meet any shortfall in the supply of seasonal labour from within the UK and those EU states with access to our labour market.
	It is not the purpose of SAWS to fill the requirement for agricultural labour in the UK, and it has only ever met a small proportion of the total requirement for agricultural labour. Migrants from a number of other routes such as working holidaymakers are also free to work in the agricultural sector.
	The horticultural industry is also able to recruit workers from throughout the EEA.

Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme quota will be set for 2008.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 23 July 2007
	As in previous years, an announcement will be made on next year's quota in time to allow operators to recruit workers for 2008.

Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken following the meeting with the National Farmers Union about the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme on 2 May 2007.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 23 July 2007
	I met with Lord Rooker, Minister for Sustainable Food and Farming and Animal Health, on 15 May 2007 and we are arranging a further meeting with operators and the National Farmers Union to discuss the scheme.

Technology: Safety

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the implications for  (a) public safety and  (b) the (i) safety and (ii) privacy of individuals of use of mobile and location-based technology.

Vernon Coaker: The Government meets with the communication service providers, children's charities and other interested parties to keep these matters under review. We are supportive of the industry Code of Practice for the use of mobile technology to provide passive location services in the UK. This code governs the way services are run and provide consumer (particularly child) protection measures that supplement legal and regulatory requirements. We will work with industry to ensure that the Code of Practice is updated to take account of technological advances.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Carbon Emissions: Imports

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will commission research to quantify the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated by imports to the UK of Chinese-manufactured goods.

Phil Woolas: DEFRA's evidence and innovation strategy considers some of the 'embedded' environmental impacts of the international supply chains that feed UK consumption. Research projects relevant to embodied carbon emissions include:
	Support for a British Standards Institute project to develop a publicly accessible specification for embedded greenhouse gas emissions of products and services.
	The development of an embedded carbon emissions indicator to enable more accurate measurement of embedded carbon emissions in supply chains outside the UK. This is based on a multi-regional model that, in the first instance, divides the world into three regions (OECD-Europe, other OECD and non-OECD countries) enabling a more accurate estimation of carbon dioxide emissions embedded UK trade than previously possible. To date, UK emissions factors for this data have been used but do not give an accurate result, as the impacts can vary depending on the sources of energy used in the producing country. This model will enable a more accurate representation of the emission, albeit not specifically for Chinese energy sources.

Environment Protection: York City Council

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the  (a) purpose and  (b) value was of each special grant awarded to City of York council for environmental purposes in each year since 2006.

Phil Woolas: Details of grants awarded to City of York council for environmental purposes since 2006 are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Grant  Purpose of grant  Amount (£) 
			 2005-07 Yorkshire Forward City of York's Eco Depot 600,000 
			 2006-07 Direct Consultancy Support(1) Waste Composition Project 49,916 
			 2007-08 Direct Consultancy Support(1) Waste Composition Project 49,916 
			 2005-06 Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant General Waste and Recycling 145,790 
			 2006-07 Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant General Waste and Recycling 387,705 
			 2007-08 Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant General Waste and Recycling 406,075 
			 2005-06 Joint Municipal Waste Strategy(2) Revision and Development 72,183 
			 (1) Joint project between North Yorkshire county council and City of York council. (2) Awarded to North Yorkshire county council. City of York council was one of the named constituent councils for this project.

Exhaust Emissions: Delivery Services

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of internet and catalogue shopping home deliveries on levels of carbon dioxide emissions in the last five years.

Phil Woolas: No assessment has been made by my Department.

Fisheries: Migrant Workers

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the percentage of Cornish fishing crews which are migrant workers.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 23 July 2007
	My Department does not hold the information requested.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will review the adequacy of the budgets for flood defences; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: 1 refer the hon. Member to the statement given by the Secretary of State on 2 July 2007,  Official Report, column 689, in which he stated the Government have always recognised the need to spend more on flood defence because of changes in climate. DEFRA and local authority spend on flood and coastal erosion risk management has increased from £307 million in 1996-97 to £600 million this year and will increase further to £800 million in 2010-11.

Floods: Housing

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes have been  (a) built,  (b) built on flood plains,  (c) built in areas of significant flood risk and  (d) built against the advice of the Environment Agency due to flood risk in (i) each region and (ii) England in the last 10 years.

Iain Wright: I have been asked to reply.
	With regards to the homes that have been  (a) built and  (b) built on flood plains information from the Communities and Local Government's Land Use Change Statistics and Completions data show the total number of dwellings built and the estimated number built on floodplains. Between 1996 and 2005 (the most recent 10 years for which data are available) there were 1,441,200 dwellings completed, of which an estimated 133,600 were built on flood risk areas.
	Data are not available on the number of homes built against Environment Agency advice.
	I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper) to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel Kawczynski) on 8 January 2007,  Official Report, column 369W.

Floods: Warnings

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the take up is of the automatic flood warning system in  (a) North Yorkshire,  (b) South Yorkshire,  (c) East Yorkshire and  (d) England.

Phil Woolas: The Environment Agency reported that the take up for Floodline Warnings Direct in these areas is as follows:
	North Yorkshire (excluding the City of York): 3,516 properties which is 29 per cent. of those offered Floodline Warnings Direct.
	South Yorkshire: 1,653 properties which is 39 per cent. of those offered Floodline Warnings Direct.
	East Yorkshire: 2,694 properties which is 45 per cent. of those offered Floodline Warnings Direct.
	England: 250,606 properties which is 30 per cent. of those offered Floodline Warnings Direct.

Floods: Warnings

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to review the flood warning system.

Phil Woolas: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a Lessons Learned exercise on the summer flooding on 12 July. Any lessons about the operation of the operation of the flood warning system will be picked up as part of that exercise.
	Under the Government's making space for water strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management, the technical feasibility of extending warnings to include other types of flooding than from rivers or the sea is currently under study.

Fly Tipping: East of England

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 25 June 2007,  Official Report, column 82W, on flytipping: East of England, how many incidents of flytipping were reported in each local authority in the UK in  (a) 2004-05 and  (b) 2005-06; what the estimated cost was of dealing with incidents of flytipping; and how many (i) prosecutions and (ii) successful prosecutions there were for flytipping in each local authority in the UK in each year.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Flycapture database, which was set up in 2004 by DEFRA, the Environment Agency and the Local Government Association, records the number of fly tipping incidents dealt with by the Environment Agency and local authorities and the enforcement action taken. The Environment Agency deals only with larger scale fly-tipping incidents.
	As it is quite lengthy, I am arranging for a table showing the number of incidents and prosecutions recorded on Flycapture for 2004-05 and 2005-06 in England to be placed in the House Library.
	Data for 2006-07 have not yet been finalised, but will be available in the summer.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Yorkshire and Humberside

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the change in greenhouse gas emissions has been in percentage terms in  (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and  (b) City of York since 2003.

Joan Ruddock: DEFRA does not hold greenhouse gas emissions data at the geographical level necessary to derive these reductions. Experimental local authority carbon dioxide emissions data are currently available for 2003 and 2004 only— however, due to changes in the underlying methodology, year-on-year comparisons using these data would be inappropriate.
	I have placed experimental emissions estimates for 2003 and 2004 in the Library of the House.

Land Drainage

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Environment Agency spent on drainage on each local authority area in each of the last three years.

Phil Woolas: The Environment Agency is responsible for managing flood risk from designated main rivers and the sea with local authorities (and, in low-lying areas, internal drainage boards) responsible for managing flood risk from other watercourses.
	Local authorities, highway authorities and water and sewerage companies all have varying responsibilities for drainage of surface water.
	I am unable to provide a breakdown of spend on flood risk management by local authority area without incurring disproportionate cost.

Land Use: Flood Control

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to give greater weight in the higher level scheme to land management measures that would reduce the risk to communities from flooding.

Phil Woolas: There is funding available under the higher level scheme for the creation of wildlife habitats which may also have flood risk management benefits. My officials are currently reviewing the progress of environmental stewardship to see whether the scheme is on course to meet its environmental outcomes. In particular the review will consider how the scheme can mitigate the effects of climate change which may have a bearing on flood management issues.

Radioactive Materials: Storage

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make a statement on the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency's choice of sites for storing nuclear waste.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	Government considers that it is essential that radioactive waste is stored safely and securely at all times pending its disposal, in line with HSE requirements on Nuclear Site Licensees and the recommendations of the independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM).
	In response to CoRWM's 2006 recommendations, the NDA is reviewing the adequacy of waste storage arrangements across its sites, focusing on the service life of facilities required to accommodate waste until a disposal facility is available. In a separate study NDA's contractors have been looking at possible opportunities to optimise intermediate level waste storage. The preliminary view is that there may be opportunities to consolidate storage at some NDA sites using facilities that are already in site baseline plans, as well as opportunities for minimising waste generation. There are currently no plans for new stores located off NDA sites. The outcomes of these studies will inform the review of the NDA's Strategy, which it expects to begin during 2008. The NDA's Strategy will be the subject of public consultation and subject to approval by Government.

Rights of Way

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make it the policy of the Government to exclude built-up areas in towns and villages from the extinguishment provisions of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and exercise his powers to that effect under Section 54.

Jonathan R Shaw: Section 54 of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act does provide for "excepted rights of way" which are exempted from the extinguishment provisions of the Act and come into force in 2026. The relevant sections in the Act require regulations to be implemented, and are yet to be implemented in Parliament. The Government will publish a consultation paper in due course to seek views on the scope of the provisions before any regulations are brought into force.

Rights of Way: Yorkshire and Humberside

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what parts of  (a) York and  (b) north Yorkshire have been opened to the public under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The former Countryside Agency mapped 748 hectares of open country and registered common land in the administrative area of York city council, equivalent to 2.7 per cent. of the administrative area.
	The agency mapped a total of 178,990 hectares in north Yorkshire as open country and common land. That includes 95,060 hectares of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and 44,450 hectares of the North York Moors National Park.

Sewers: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many miles of sewers there are in  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex; and what percentage are over 100 years old.

Phil Woolas: DEFRA does not hold this information. Southern Water are responsible for the public sewers in Eastbourne and East Sussex and would hold any available information relating to the age and length of sewers in this area.

Wood: Recycling

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the reasons for the level of recycling of timber; and what steps he is taking to increase the level.

Joan Ruddock: Recent research(1) carried out on DEFRA's behalf, suggests that it is generally better, in carbon and energy terms, to recover energy from waste wood than to recycle it, with either option being far better than landfill. It estimated that 16 per cent. of waste wood in the UK is currently recycled and 80 per cent. landfilled.
	No specific assessment has been made of the reasons for the current level of wood recycling. However the waste and resources action programme (WRAP) continues to play an important role in developing recycling capacity for clean waste wood and markets for the resulting products.
	Most waste wood is, however, unsuitable for recycling and the waste strategy for England 2007 sets out the Government's intention to recover more energy from wood that would otherwise be landfilled. DEFRA's waste implementation programme is taking forward a programme of work to develop energy markets for waste wood by addressing the informational and practical barriers to expansion.
	(1) Carbon Balances and Energy Impacts of the Management of UK Wastes, report by ERM (with Colder Associates) for DEFRA, Final Report, March 2007.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts Council of England: Finance

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much grant in aid he plans to allocate Arts Council England in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: Discussions on the comprehensive spending review are continuing between DCMS and HM Treasury. No decision has yet been taken about grant in aid for Arts Council England for the next three years.

Arts: National Lottery

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was allocated from the National Lottery to  (a) the Heritage Lottery Fund and  (b) UK Arts Lottery Distributors in each financial year since 1994, not including investment income.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The total operator proceeds for each financial year for  (a) the Heritage Lottery Fund were:
	
		
			   Heritage lottery fund (£ million) 
			 1994-95 57.875 
			 1995-96 288.674 
			 1996-97 291.484 
			 1997-98 327.210 
			 1998-99 253.665 
			 1999-2000 244.801 
			 2000-01 258.010 
			 2001-02 275.800 
			 2002-03 225.185 
			 2003-04 216.452 
			 2004-05 226.088 
			 2005-06 230.631 
			 2006-07 200.930 
			  Note: Figures rounded to the nearest thousand pounds 
		
	
	and  (b) the Arts Council of England, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Screen and the UK Film Council were:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Arts Council of England  UK Film Council.  Arts Council of Northern Ireland  Scottish Arts Council  Arts Council of Wales  Scottish Screen 
			 1994-95 48.210 — 1.621 5.151 2.894 — 
			 1995-96 240.465 — 8.083 25.692 14.434 — 
			 1996-97 242.806 — 8.162 25.942 14.574 — 
			 1997-98 272.566 — 9.162 29.122 16.361 — 
			 1998-99 211.303 — 7.103 22.576 12.683 — 
			 1999-2000 188.072 15.848 6.854 21.787 12.240 — 
			 2000-01 183.445 31.477 7.224 17.628 12.901 5.335 
			 2001-02 196.094 33.648 7.722 21.347 13.790 3.199 
			 2002-03 159.556 28.023 6.305 17.377 11.259 2.664 
			 2003-04 153.923 26.414 6.061 16.752 10.824 2.514 
			 2004-05 160.723 27.576 6.330 17.500 11.303 2.619 
			 2005-06 163.978 28.137 6.458 17.851 11.532 2.675 
			 2006-07 142.861 24.513 5.626 15.552 10.046 2.331 
			  Note: Figures rounded to the nearest thousand pounds

Betting: Regulation

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to receive the conclusions of his Department's working group on regulation and administration of on-course betting.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Following an approach from the Bookmakers' Committee, my Department facilitated the setting up of the Working Group on the Regulation and Administration of On Course Bookmaking in February 2007. It is chaired by the chief executive of the National Joint Pitch Council and includes representatives of the betting and racing industries. DCMS is not represented on the group.
	The group originally planned to report in April 2007. However, it has taken it longer than originally expected to fulfil its terms of reference. We are expecting it to publish its draft proposals for consultation soon.

Digital Switchover Help Scheme

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether those eligible for the targeted assistance scheme in relation to digital switchover are entitled to a digital box with the technical potential for later upgrading with a return path and IPTV slot.

James Purnell: The digital terrestrial set top boxes provided under the digital switchover help scheme will meet the scheme's core receiver requirements. These requirements do not at present require that the boxes have a return path but nor do they rule it out. The requirements will be kept under review throughout the process of switchover by an emerging technologies group, which will assess the case for changes, including the possible provision of a return path, based on their usability and cost-effectiveness, and will, where appropriate, recommend that DCMS and the BBC amend the requirements.

National Joint Pitch Council

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether his Department's working group on regulation and administration of on-course betting has identified those administrative functions of the National Joint Pitch Council which are not provided for in regulations under the Gambling Act 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Working Group on the Regulation and Administration of On Course Bookmaking is independent of my Department. It was set up following an approach from the Bookmakers' Committee, includes representatives of the betting and racing industries and is chaired by the chief executive of the National Joint Pitch Council. Its terms of reference include a requirement to
	"Agree a comprehensive list of the current administrative functions of the NJPC that are not preserved in regulations under the Gambling Act 2005".
	I understand that its members are in the process of completing this task and will publish their findings for public consultation soon. I am further aware that the Group decided of its own volition to exclude any consideration of pitch tenure issues.

National Lottery: Wales

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect of the diversion of Lottery funding for the London Olympics on future Lottery funding in Wales.

Gerry Sutcliffe: As announced on 15 March, it is proposed that the Arts Council of Wales will contribute £8.1 million and the Sports Council for Wales £7.3 million.
	Of the relevant UK-wide distributing bodies, it is proposed that the Heritage Lottery Fund will make a contribution of £161.2 million and Big Lottery Fund a contribution of £638.1 million. It is for these distributors to determine the proportion of their funding which goes to Wales. No funds will be transferred before 2009.
	In addition, non-Olympic good causes may lose about 5 per cent. of their income as a result of sales diversion from Olympic Lottery games during the eight years from 2005 to 2012.
	Grants already made need not be affected. Furthermore, the Big Lottery Fund will maintain, and extend from 2009 to 2012, its commitment to provide 60 to 70 per cent. of its funding to the voluntary and community sector, at the levels planned before the announcement of the Olympic transfer.

Sports: Children

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he plans to take to increase sporting participation among children nationally as part of the legacy of the 2012 Games.

James Purnell: holding answer 23 July 2007
	 Our continued investment in the National School Sport Strategy, jointly delivered by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, will help us to achieve a sustainable legacy of sporting participation for children and young people now and beyond the Games in 2012. There is a PSA target to increase the percentage of 5-16 year olds participating in a minimum of two hours high quality PE and school sport each week to 85 per cent. by 2008. The 2005-06 annual survey of schools in school sport partnerships showed that 80 per cent. of children and young people were already doing so.
	The Government's long-term aim has been to offer all 5-16 year olds four hours of sport by 2010, through a combination of provision in the school day, out of school and community activities. On 13 July 2007 the Prime Minister announced an additional £100 million funding to increase this offer to five hours per week of sport for children and young people aged 5-16, plus three hours per week for young people aged 16-19, by 2010.

Sports: National Lottery

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Lottery funding was provided to  (a) athletics,  (b) swimming and  (c) rowing in each year since 1998.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The amount of lottery funding provided to athletics, swimming and rowing in each year since 1998 is in the following table.
	
		
			  Lottery funding 
			  £ 
			   Athletics  Swimming  Rowing 
			 1998-99 3,045,016 15,791,917 1,790,466 
			 1999-2000 12,161,588 26,119,732 1,908,205 
			 2000-01 19,904,669 18,325,175 1,685,659 
			 2001-02 7,040,174 30,088,993 9,295,194 
			 2002-03 5,134,124 20,282,823 1,914,826 
			 2003-04 9,715,394 3,016,870 400,245 
			 2004-05 32,006,607 19,257,243 18,890,457 
			 2005-06 21,922,334 5,466,592 618,753 
			 2006-07 4,540,492 6,454,689 1,926,034

Sports: Yorkshire and Humberside

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Government spent on sport in  (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and  (b) City of York in each year since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Data for the past 10 years could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The following table shows the Government (Exchequer) funding for Yorkshire and Humber in each of the last seven years. It is not possible to isolate figures for the City of York as Sport England does not hold data in that format.
	
		
			   Exchequer  (£) 
			 2001-02 139,078 
			 2002-03 25,000 
			 2003-04 205,020 
			 2004-05 893,066 
			 2005-06 1,014,442 
			 2006-07 876,054 
			 2007-08 48,000 
			 Total 3,200,660

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Buildings: Energy

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to encourage the refurbishment of existing buildings to increase energy efficiency.

Iain Wright: Buildings account for 45 per cent. of total UK carbon emissions—27 per cent. from homes and 18 per cent. from non-domestic buildings—so reducing emissions from buildings will be a vital contribution to delivering our overall target of reducing UK carbon emissions by 60 per cent. on 1990 levels by 2050.
	Despite recent growth in the number of domestic and office appliances, heating is still the major use of energy in buildings—around 75 per cent. of building energy consumption relates to space and water heating—so insulation, draught-proofing and efficient heating systems and controls are key to delivering significant energy efficiencies.
	Existing programmes and policies such as Decent Homes, Warm Front, and the Energy Efficiency Commitment, and information and advice from the Government-funded Energy Saving Trust and Carbon Trust continue to encourage and support energy efficiency refurbishments of existing buildings. These programmes have already had a significant impact on the existing building stock. The latest annual report on the English House Condition Survey, published in June this year, found that the average energy efficiency rating of the housing stock had progressively improved from 1996.
	In addition, we will shortly begin to roll out the requirement for Energy Performance Certificates and air conditioning inspections which will provide building owners and occupants, for the first time, with information on the energy performance of their buildings and what can be done to improve their performance.
	We are currently consulting on proposals for a new three-year Carbon Emissions Reduction Target to run from 2008 to 2011 that would double the activity under the existing Energy Efficiency Commitment that comes to an end in 2008. We announced, in the Energy White Paper in May this year, our intention to introduce a new cap and trade scheme, the Carbon Reduction Commitment, for large organisations to provide a greater incentive for them to take up energy efficiency measures and to consult on a proposal to roll out advanced and smart metering services to all but the smallest business users.
	We are also looking at how to further improve the targeting of advice to households to encourage energy efficiency improvements and we are reviewing what other measures could be taken to improve non-domestic buildings.

Business: Renewable Energy

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many business premises in England have  (a) small-scale wind turbines and  (b) solar panels, according to Valuation Office Agency valuation records.

John Healey: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Communities England: Finance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding has been allocated to Communities England for  (a) 2007-08,  (b) 2008-09 and  (c) 2009-10.

Iain Wright: The creation of the new homes agency is subject to the agreement of Parliament, and until this has been granted no money can be allocated. Following parliamentary approval. any future budgets allocated to the homes agency are subject to the outcome of the comprehensive spending review.

Council Housing: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many units of council housing there are in  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex.

Iain Wright: Eastbourne local authority reported a stock of 3,825 council dwellings as at 1 April 2006 the latest date available. East Sussex local authorities—Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother and Wealden—reported a stock of 10,380 council dwellings as at 1 April 2006.
	 Source
	Local authority returns (Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix).

Council Housing: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many dwellings were  (a) constructed for private sale,  (b) built by housing associations and  (c) built by local authorities in (i) Eastbourne and (ii) East Sussex in each of the last 10 years.

Iain Wright: Figures for the number of private dwelling completions as reported by Eastbourne and East Sussex local authorities are presented in the tables:
	
		
			  Private new build completions, 1997-98 to 2006-07 
			   Eastbourne  East Sussex (including Eastbourne ) 
			 1997-98 73 512 
			 1998-99 132 1,215 
			 1999-2000 328 1,114 
			 2000-01 377 1,126 
			 2001-02 451 1,102 
			 2002-03 431 1,177 
			 2003-04 540 1,057 
			 2004-05 437 1,170 
			 2005-06 426 1,053 
			 2006-07 255 1,250 
			  Source: P2 new build return to CLG from local authorities and the national House Building Council. Figures for 1997-98 to 2000-01 are missing some monthly returns from local authorities. 
		
	
	Figures for 1997-98 to 2000-01 are missing some monthly returns from local authorities Figures for the number of new build affordable dwellings as reported by the Housing Corporation are presented below. These affordable figures include social rent and intermediate housing e.g. low cost home ownership
	
		
			  Affordable new build dwellings, 1997- 98 to  2006-07 
			   Eastbourne  E ast Sussex (including Eastbourne) 
			 1997-98 138 432 
			 1998-99 106 334 
			 1999-2000 3 59 
			 2000-01 47 169 
			 2001-02 32 141 
			 2002-03 27 127 
			 2003-04 39 226 
			 2004-05 — 64 
			 2005-06 42 100 
			 2006-07 n/a n/a 
			 n/a = not available  Source: Housing Corporation and local authority returns. 
		
	
	No reported local authority dwellings have been built in the last 10 years in Eastbourne and East Sussex.

Council Housing: Waiting Lists

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average waiting time was for social housing rented properties with  (a) one bedroom  (b) two bedrooms,  (c) three bedrooms and  (d) four or more bedrooms for households on the housing waiting list in each local authority area in England in the last period for which figures are available.

Iain Wright: The information on average waiting time on a housing list for households is not held centrally.

Council Housing: Waiting Lists

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what percentage of the households on the housing waiting list in each local authority area in England at the start of 2006-07 were housed in social rented housing by the end of that year.

Iain Wright: The information on number of households on the waiting list which are subsequently housed in social rented housing is not held centrally.
	For information, although not related to households on waiting lists who were subsequently housed in social rented housing, the numbers of households on the waiting list for social housing by local authority, as at 1 April each year, is published on the Communities and Local Government website in Table 600. The link for this table is as follows:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/embedded_object.asp?id=1163853

Departments: Contracts

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how her Department monitors contracts issued by public bodies reporting to her Department, with particular reference to the terms and conditions applied to their work forces.

Iain Wright: Communities and Local Government awards contracts incorporating standard terms and conditions that reinforce and promote work force related legislation.
	For contracts where the transfer of undertakings (TUPE) regulations would apply, specific conditions are applied to protect employees' rights when the business in which they are employed changes hands.
	Communities and Local Government promotes the adoption of procurement best practice among its affiliated, autonomous organisations. This includes the adoption of standard terms and conditions and addressing TUPE regulations as well as other specific work force related issues when merited.
	Communities and Local Government promotes the use of effective contract management to ensure compliance.

Departments: Crime

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criminal offences have been created by primary legislation sponsored by her Department since October 2006.

Hazel Blears: The Department for Communities and Local Government has not created any primary legislation since October 2006, and therefore no new criminal offences have been created.

Departments: Disciplinary Proceedings

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people in her Department have been  (a) disciplined and  (b) dismissed for (i) inappropriate use of the internet while at work and (ii) using work telephones to access premium rate telephone numbers in the last 12 months.

Iain Wright: The Department has not conducted formal proceedings against any staff for inappropriate use of the internet while at work, or for using work telephones to access premium rate phone lines while at work, in the last 12 months.
	Full details of Community and Local Government's approach to the appropriate use of IT and telephones while at work are made available to all staff through the Department's staff handbook. The rules make it clear that the inappropriate use of IT and telephones may constitute a disciplinary offence. Within Communities and Local Government, all users of the Department's IT and telephones are required to make a personal commitment regarding appropriate use of the systems.

Departments: Legislation

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what legislative provisions introduced by her Department and its predecessors since 1997 have not yet been brought into force.

Hazel Blears: The Department (and its predecessors) has been responsible for the introduction of 17 Acts since 1997 all of which have been brought into force.

Departments: Legislation

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what legislative provisions introduced by her Department and its predecessor since 1997 have been repealed.

Hazel Blears: The Department (and its predecessors) has been responsible for the introduction of 17 Acts since 1997 of which the Local Government Finance (Supplementary Credit Approvals) Act 1997 has been repealed as it was superseded by the Local Government Act 2003.

Departments: Official Visits

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent on overnight accommodation by civil servants within her Department's areas of responsibilities in the last 12 months.

Iain Wright: For the 12-month period June 2006 to June 2007 the amount spent on overnight accommodation by civil servants in the Department for Communities and Local Government, excluding Government Offices, departmental agencies and NDPBs, was £928,118.

Departments: Private Finance Initiative

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent on private finance initiative projects for which her Department has responsibility in each of the last 10 years; and how much is projected to be spent in each of the next three years, broken down by local authority.

Iain Wright: This Department sponsors 45 signed local authority projects. The total revenue spent by the local authorities on those projects in the last 10 years and forecast for the next three years is as follows:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 1998-99 11 
			 1999-2000 16 
			 2000-01 19 
			 2001-02 34 
			 2002-03 42 
			 2003-04 62 
			 2004-05 81 
			 2005-06 86 
			 2006-07 117 
			 2007-08 140 
			 2008-09 152 
			 2009-10 149 
			 2010-11 146 
		
	
	Forecasts of revenue payments for any projects spending revenue in the next three years, but which are not yet signed, is not available.
	Information on individual projects is available on the HM Treasury website at:
	www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/documents/public_private_partnerships/ppp_pfi_stats.cfm.

Departments: Racial Harassment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which her Department is responsible have been  (a) investigated and  (b) upheld in the last 12 months.

Iain Wright: There have been no formal complaints of racial abuse relating to staff in the Department in the last 12 months.

Departments: Standards

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which Public Service Agreement targets have been  (a) met and  (b) not met by her Department.

Iain Wright: I refer the hon. Member to the Communities and Local Government Annual Report which was published on 17 May 2007. Departmental performance across the 10 public service agreement targets is set out in detail in chapters 3 to 9.

Disadvantaged: East Riding

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what programmes her Department is sponsoring in the East Riding of Yorkshire area to promote social inclusion.

Parmjit Dhanda: The East Riding of Yorkshire receives funding from the Department of Communities and Local Government through its Local Area Agreement. This Neighbourhood Element funding is part of resources to build safer and stronger communities. It is up to local partners to decide exactly how these funds are spent, and there has been a focus on improving certain neighbourhoods in the coastal town of Bridlington.
	The Department also funds community cohesion activities by small grants distributed through regional Government Offices. The East Riding recently benefited from grants towards the Helping Hands project in Goole which offers support to migrant workers and their families, and towards the Wilberforce Way Walk to commemorate the abolition of slavery and promote community cohesion.
	Goole also benefits from regional housing funding for its Advance Goole project to tackle private sector housing issues in part of the town. This aims to create a more mixed and sustainable market to help increase social inclusion.

Empty Property

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) buy-to-let properties and  (b) empty buy-to-let properties there are in each local authority area.

Iain Wright: This information is not held centrally. Details on mortgage types, such as buy-to-let are held by the mortgage lenders.

Floods: Expenditure

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost was of the clear up operation to each affected local authority following recent flooding.

John Healey: It is too early to say what the cost will be to each affected local authority of the clear up operation following recent flooding. Local authorities are continuing to make their own assessments of the impact of the floods and of the work that will be needed for the recovery process and information improves by the day. We remain in close contact with the affected local authorities and continue to monitor the situation carefully as more information becomes available.

Homelessness: Ex-servicemen

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many former UK armed forces service personnel in  (a) Leeds,  (b) West Yorkshire and  (c) England are estimated to be homeless.

Iain Wright: holding answer 23 July 2007
	 The Department does not have a comprehensive estimate of the number of former armed forces service personnel that are homeless, but it does collect information on statutory homelessness from local authorities (which cover some ex-HM forces personnel).
	Information about local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation is collected quarterly at local authority level, in respect of households rather than people.
	Information reported includes the number of households accepted by local authorities as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and therefore owed a main homelessness duty. The duty owed to an accepted household is to secure suitable accommodation.
	Based on information supplied by local authorities for 2006-07, around 50 households accepted as owed the main homelessness duty in England were in priority need primarily as a result of being vulnerable through having served in HM forces. Some authorities also report secondary priority need categories (when an household falls in to more than one priority need group), and there were an additional 40 households reported here. In total, this represents 0.1 per cent. of all acceptances in the year.
	In the same year, around 200 households accepted as owed the main homelessness duty cited the reason for loss of their last settled home as having left HM forces, representing 0.3 per cent. of acceptances.
	A table has been placed in the Library which shows the number of household acceptances who have (i) the primary and (ii) the secondary priority need of being vulnerable through having served in HM forces, and (iii) cited the reason for loss of last settled home as having left HM forces. The data are provided for all local authorities, including Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.
	It is important to note that many of those households with the HM forces priority need may also have the reason for loss of having left HM forces accommodation, and so there is likely to be some overlap between the two sets of figures.

Housing: Building Regulations

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether building regulations apply to the construction of porches outside a domestic dwelling.

Iain Wright: The Building Regulations 2000 do not apply to porches constructed at ground level which are less than 30 square metres in area provided they comply with the relevant parts of Approved Documents Part N—Glazing, and Part P—Electrical Safety.

Housing: Finance

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much housing funding was provided by the Government in each county of England in each year since 1997.

Iain Wright: The total housing funding for each county in the year 2005-06 is in the following table. Figures for other years can be obtained only at disproportionate cost owing to the complexity involved in compiling data on a county-wise basis across so many different funding programmes.
	Funding for housing comprises both direct investment and supported investment. Direct investment includes housing capital grants, Housing Corporation capital investment, housing market renewal funding, disabled facilities grants, transfer gap funding and Gypsy sites grants. Housing capital grants are not provided direct to counties but to district councils.
	Supported investment includes housing revenue account (HRA) subsidy in the form of major repairs allowance, ALMOs supported borrowing allocations and LAs supported capital expenditure allocations.
	
		
			  Total government investment in housing 2005-06 
			  County  Total (£) 
			 Avon 61,059,286 
			 Bedfordshire 24,435,315 
			 Berkshire 45,431,667 
			 Buckinghamshire 49,043,888 
			 Cambridgeshire 37,218,319 
			 Cheshire 46,811,477 
			 Cleveland 25,568,908 
			 Cornwall 29,766,397 
			 Cumbria 24,486,059 
			 Derbyshire 75,691,163 
			 Devon 49,256,868 
			 Dorset 47,636,765 
			 Durham 46,988,587 
			 East Sussex 44,158,644 
			 Essex 143,657,206 
			 Gloucestershire 37,107,148 
			 Greater Manchester 427,493,162 
			 Hampshire 90,572,099 
			 Hereford and Worcester 32,429,370 
			 Hertfordshire 68,952,897 
			 Humberside 57,385,753 
			 Inner London 781,578,439 
			 Isle of Wight 10,472,631 
			 Kent 78,915,070 
			 Lancashire 133,873,129 
			 Leicestershire 63,339,544 
			 Lincolnshire 29,000,383 
			 Merseyside 139,616,618 
			 North Yorkshire 36,252,043 
			 Norfolk 42,314,655 
			 Northamptonshire 47,064,168 
			 Northumberland 33,402,565 
			 Nottinghamshire 84,136,970 
			 Outer London 749,483,158 
			 Oxfordshire 20,736,123 
			 South Yorkshire 281,113,551 
			 Shropshire 33,226,042 
			 Somerset 17,260,609 
			 Staffordshire 167,575,689 
			 Suffolk 18,680,395 
			 Surrey 61,525,233 
			 Tyne and Wear 118,352,732 
			 West Midlands 238,475,063 
			 West Yorkshire 278,699,223 
			 Warwickshire 21,557,294 
			 West Sussex 34,026,191 
			 Wiltshire 21,245,956

Housing: Finance

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much and what proportion of English housing funding was provided to  (a) Cornwall and  (b) the South West in each year since 1997; and how much housing funding was provided to England in each of those years.

Iain Wright: Housing Funding for Cornwall in the year 2005-06 was £29.8 million and for the South West Region as whole was £258.5 million. Figures for other years can be obtained only at disproportionate cost owing to the time involved in compiling data on a county-wide basis across so many different funding programmes.
	Funding for housing comprises both direct investment and supported investment. Direct investment includes housing capital grants, Housing Corporation capital investment, housing market renewal funding, disabled facilities grants, transfer gap funding and Gypsy sites grants.
	Supported investment includes housing revenue account (HRA) subsidy in the form of major repairs allowance, ALMOs supported borrowing allocations and LAs supported capital allocations.
	Housing capital grants are not provided direct to counties but to district councils.
	Figures for housing capital investment by Communities and Local Government and its predecessor Departments for England between 1997-98 and 2006-07 are given in the following table.
	
		
			   Value (£ million) 
			 1997-98 1,894 
			 1998-99 2,098 
			 1999-2000 2,173 
			 2000-01 2,866 
			 2001-02 3,312 
			 2002-03 3,598 
			 2003-04 4,685 
			 2004-05 4,767 
			 2005-06 5,151 
			 2006-07 5,189

Housing: Hampshire

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people in  (a) Romsey,  (b) Southampton and  (c) Hampshire are on waiting lists for social housing; and how many units of social housing have been built in (i) Romsey, (ii) Southampton and (iii) Hampshire since 1997.

Iain Wright: The constituency of Romsey covers most of Test Valley district council but also includes a small part of Eastleigh district council and Southampton city council. Information is not collected at the constituency level, only at local authority level and includes households rather than people.
	The number of households on the waiting list for social housing in  (a) local authorities covering the Romsey area (Test Valley, Eastleigh and Southampton)  (b) Southampton and  (c) Hampshire, as at 1 April each year since 1997, are presented in table 1.
	
		
			  Table 1: Households on the waiting list for social housing in (a) Romsey (Test Valley, Eastleigh and Southampton), (b) Southampton and (c) Hampshire 
			   Test Valley  Eastleigh  Southampton  Hampshire 
			 1997 1,873 967 2,329 15,341 
			 1998 1,768 1,169 3,902 17,144 
			 1999 1,723 1,200 3,699 19,127 
			 2000 1,611 1,361 4,522 22,070 
			 2001 1,440 1,481 5,148 22,634 
			 2002 1,645 1,623 5,811 24,071 
			 2003 2,189 3,424 6,697 24,558 
			 2004 2,092 4,446 8,128 28,635 
			 2005 2,698 4,515 9,225 30,357 
			 2006 2,885 5,014 11,126 32,361 
			  Note: As reported by local authorities.  Source: Communities and Local Government Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix return (HSSA) 
		
	
	These figures are also published on the Communities and Local Government website in table 600. The link for this table is given as follows:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/embedded_object.asp?id=1163853
	Local authorities in England report the numbers of households on their housing waiting list as at 1 April in their annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix returns. Not everyone on the waiting list is necessarily in urgent housing need. The waiting list includes those who consider social housing as their preferred or one of a number of housing options, and those who decide to get onto the waiting list ladder before they need or want to move house—particularly where the priority system is heavily based on waiting time.
	The numbers of social rent homes provided by local authorities and registered social landlords in  (a) local authorities covering the Romsey area (Test Valley, Eastleigh and Southampton)  (b) Southampton and  (c) Hampshire, since 1997 are presented in table 2 as follows. Homes are provided through new build as well as acquisitions. Figures are as reported by local authorities and the Housing Corporation.
	
		
			  Table 2: Numbers of social rent homes provided by local authorities and registered social landlords in (a) Romsey (Test Valley, Eastleigh and Southampton), (b) Southampton and (c) Hampshire 
			   Test Valley  Eastleigh  Southampton  Hampshire 
			 1996-97 142 87 167 1,998 
			 1997-98 57 177 229 1,645 
			 1998-99 68 137 266 1,561 
			 1999-2000 52 105 191 1,119 
			 2000-01 92 62 236 1,033 
			 2001-02 48 37 140 1,101 
			 2002-03 160 34 178 817 
			 2003-04 13 96 92 1,045 
			 2004-05 80 132 162 969 
			 2005-06 63 47 114 856 
			  Note: Figures shown represent our best estimate and may be subject to revisions.  Source: Housing Corporation and local authorities

Housing: Low Incomes

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to increase the availability of affordable housing in  (a) Windsor and  (b) the South East of England.

Iain Wright: holding answer 12 July 2007
	The future level and distribution of housing provision across the South East will be determined by the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the South East. The draft RSS (South East Plan) affordable housing policy proposes that the future provision of affordable housing in the region should have regard to the overall regional target that 25 per cent. of all new housing should be social rented accommodation and 10 per cent. other forms of affordable housing. The policies contained in the draft RSS, including those relating to future plans for affordable housing provision were the subject of an Examination in Public by an Independent Panel. The Panel are due to hand their report to Government on 31 July 2007. The Panel Report will be published by the Government as soon as practicable following that date. Any proposed changes to the Draft RSS by the Government will be published for a further statutory consultation later in the year.
	To pre-empt the outcome of the Panel Report and the Statutory Process by making a statement at this time would not be appropriate.
	The Draft RSS (South East Plan) proposes an annual average of 281 net dwelling completions in Windsor and Maidenhead and an annual average of 28,900 in the region during the period between 2006 and 2026.

Housing: Low Incomes

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many affordable homes were built in West Sussex in each year since 1997.

Iain Wright: holding answer 23 July 2007
	 The numbers of affordable homes built in West Sussex in each financial year since 1997-98 are presented in the following table. West Sussex has been taken to include the local authority areas of Adur, Arun, Chichester, Crawley, Horsham, Mid Sussex and Worthing. Affordable housing includes both social rent and intermediate housing (e.g. low cost home ownership).
	Not all affordable housing supply is through new build completions, supply can also come from the acquisition and refurbishment of private sector homes. Between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 2006 an additional 1,500 affordable homes were supplied through acquisitions which are not shown in the following table. Figures for 2006-07 are not yet available.
	
		
			  Affordable housing new build: West Sussex 
			  Financial year  Number of homes 
			 1997-98 484 
			 1998-99 682 
			 1999-2000 353 
			 2000-01 190 
			 2001-02 182 
			 2002-03 538 
			 2003-04 400 
			 2004-05 391 
			 2005-06 649 
			  Source: Housing Corporation, local authorities

Housing: Single People

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate her Department has made of the proportion of new households which will be single person households in the next 12 months.

Iain Wright: One person households account for 70 per cent. of the new households projected to form up to 2026, in England.

Housing: South Eastern Region

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many new dwellings were constructed in the South East Government office region or equivalent area in each year since 1979.

Iain Wright: The total number of new build completions in the South East of England since 1979 is as follows:
	
		
			   New build completions 
			 1980-81 36,646 
			 1981-82 31,333 
			 1982-83 30,943 
			 1983-84 39,098 
			 1984-85 39,927 
			 1985-86 37,158 
			 1986-87 42,158 
			 1987-88 41,265 
			 1988-89 41,865 
			 1989-90 36,114 
			 1990-91 29,867 
			 1991-92 27,373 
			 1992-93 24,040 
			 1993-94 25,797 
			 1994-95 26,955 
			 1995-96 26,992 
			 1996-97 25,048 
			 1997-98 25,441 
			 1998-99 23,199 
			 1999-2000 22,797 
			 2000-01 21,839 
			 2001-02 21,815 
			 2002-03 22,745 
			 2003-04 24,280 
			 2004-05 25,692 
			 2005-06 28,209 
			 2006-07 27,698 
			  Source: P2 return from local authorities and the National House Building Council.

Housing: Standards

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if the Government will set a target date for improving the standard assessment procedure (SAP) rating of the two million properties identified in the English House Condition Survey 2005 with a SAP rating below 30.

Iain Wright: We currently have no plans to set a specific target date for improving the SAP ratings of these homes, as we have existing policies and programmes which are successfully raising levels of domestic energy efficiency throughout England.
	The Government are committed to meeting its statutory requirement of eradicating fuel poverty in the households of vulnerable people by 2010 and in all households across England by 2016. To date 1.4 million households have received help in making their home more energy efficient, through the "Warm Front" programme.
	Additionally, the decent homes standard requires homes to have both efficient heating and effective insulation. Since 1997 we have reduced the number of non-decent social sector homes by over 1 million, with over 700,000 council homes receiving work to improve their central heating and over 600,000 local authority dwellings receiving work to improve their insulation.
	We have increased the proportion of vulnerable households in the private sector who live in decent homes to 66 per cent., up from 43 per cent. in 1996.

Landlord and Tenant: Rents

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what studies have been undertaken by her Department on the levels of rent paid by private sector tenants and their security of tenure; and whether there are any plans to change policy in this areas.

Iain Wright: holding answer 18 July 2007
	 Through the annual Survey of English Housing the Department collects a range of information about the attitudes of private tenants towards their accommodation. This includes information on rents and satisfaction levels with accommodation. The Department has not undertaken any studies in relation to security of tenure in the private rented sector.
	We monitor the operation of the private rented housing market to ensure that the sector continues to offer good quality and safe accommodation for people who do not qualify for social housing and are not in a position to enter home ownership. We have no immediate plans to make changes to the legislation on rent levels and security of tenure governed by the Housing Act 1988.

Local Authorities: Newspaper Press

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for which purposes local authorities are required to place notices in local newspapers.

Iain Wright: The Government's policy is that information should be made widely available by public bodies, including local authorities, through a variety of appropriate channels. We will take the opportunity, where possible, to allow authorities more discretion on how best to publicise matters in their area. We do not hold centrally, information on the requirements placed on local authorities to insert notices in local newspapers.

Local Government: Grants

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will list the central grant payment to local authorities in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The following table shows the total amount of formula grant, which comprises Revenue Support Grant, redistributed business rates, principal formula Police Grant, SSA Reduction Grant (SSA Review). SSA Reduction Grant (Police Funding Review) and Central Support Protection Grant, where appropriate, for all authorities, the previous year's formula grant adjusted for changes in funding and function to enable like-for-like comparisons, the change in formula grant and the percentage change in formula grant for the period 1997-98 to 2007-08.
	
		
			  Current  y ear  Previous  year's adjusted formula gran t (£ million)  Current  year's formula grant (£ million)  Change (£ million)  Percentage  c hange 
			 1998-99 34,799.547 35,436.867 637.320 1.8 
			 1999-2000 35,436.867 37,110.829 1,673.962 4.7 
			 2000-01 37,110.980 38,516.380 1,405.400 3.8 
			 2001-02 38,343.957 40,024.446 1,680.489 4.4 
			 2002-03 38,399.009 40,323.132 1,924.123 5.0 
			 2003-04 41,444.087 43,894.370 2,450.282 5.9 
			 2004-05 43,706.797 46,124.222 2,417.425 5.5 
			 2005-06 46,428.755 49,015.925 2,587.170 5.6 
			 2006-07 24,091.464 24,813.914 722.450 3.0 
			 2007-08 24,706.400 25,633.008 926.608 3.8 
		
	
	Prior to 2006-07 support for schools was provided via formula grant; from 2006-07 onwards support for schools was provided via the Dedicated Schools Grant.

Members: Official Correspondence

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she expects to reply to question 148411 tabled by the hon. Member for Isle of Wight on 4 July 2007 on tree preservation orders.

Iain Wright: holding answer 23 July 2007
	 I answered the question from the hon. Member on 23 July 2007.

Ordnance Survey Act 1841: Fines

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many fines were levied for breaching the Ordnance Survey Act 1841, in relation to preventing a representative of Ordnance Survey from entering a property to conduct an inspection in each year since 1997.

Iain Wright: There has been no breach of the Ordnance Survey Act 1841 requiring formal action in relation to prevention of a representative of Ordnance Survey from entering a property in any year since 1997. No fines have been levied in any of these years.

Planning

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how a single-issue revision to a planning policy may be initiated; on which occasions such a revision has been initiated in the last 10 years; and what the subject was of each such revision.

Iain Wright: A single-issue revision to a national planning policy is initiated when Government decide that an aspect of planning policy needs to be changed or withdrawn. There is a variety of reasons which might prompt Government to revise policy. These include for example, when policies are not being implemented as expected, where new information emerges that suggest a change is needed, or where a change is required as a result of a court judgment.
	The following table sets out all single-issue revisions that have been made since 1997, and the planning policy document to which the amendment relates.
	
		
			   Title of document  Amendment to which planning policy document 
			 2007 Circular 03/2007 "The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007" Planning Policy Guidance note 19: (1992) 
			 2007 Circular 01/07 "Revisions to Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings" Planning Policy Guidance note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment (1994) 
			 2006 Written Ministerial Statement "PPS22" (Yvette Cooper) Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy (2004) 
			 2005 "Planning for Sustainable Communities in Rural Areas" Planning Policy Guidance note 3: Housing (2000) 
			 2005 "Supporting the Delivery of New Housing" Planning Policy Guidance note 3: Housing (2000) 
			 2005 Circular 09/2005 "Arrangements for Handling Heritage Applications—Notification to National Amenity Societies Direction 2005" Planning Policy Guidance note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment (1994) 
			 2005 Circular 02/2005 "Temporary Stop Notice" Planning Policy Guidance note 18: Enforcing Planning Control (1991) 
			 2001 DETR News Release 155 and PQ Mark Todd—"Countryside Planning"—(21 March 2001,  Official Report, columns 253-55W) Planning Policy Guidance note 7: The Countryside (2004) 
			 2001 Circular 01/2001 "Arrangements for Handling Heritage Applications—Notification and Directions by the Secretary of State" Planning Policy Guidance note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment (1994) 
			 2000 DETR News Release 416 and PQ Dr. Whitehead—"Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty"—(13 June 2000,  Official Report, columns 555-56W) Planning Policy Guidance note 7: The Countryside (2004) 
			 1997 Circular 14/97 "Planning and the Historic Environment—Notification and Directions by the Secretary of State" Planning Policy Guidance note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment (1994)

Planning Permission: Appeals

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government within what period of time from a planning appeal being received the Planning Inspectorate is obliged to set a start date for the appeal.

Iain Wright: There is no statutory period, following receipt of a planning appeal, for setting a starting date. However, when an appeal is received, and provided it is submitted within the time limit and contains all the essential documents listed in the appeal form, it typically takes the Planning Inspectorate five to seven working days to set the starting date.

Planning Permission: Cornwall

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many planning applications that have limited weeks per year occupancy as an incorporated feature have been approved in Cornwall in the last 10 years.

Iain Wright: The information requested is not held centrally.
	Communities and Local Government collects quarterly aggregate statistics on development control from all local planning authorities in England. However, we do not collect information on individual planning applications.

Property Development: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what percentage of  (a) parkland and  (b) greenfield land has been developed in (i) Eastbourne and (ii) East Sussex in the last 10 years.

Iain Wright: Information on the percentage of "parkland" that has been developed in Eastbourne or East Sussex is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. This is because central Government do not hold data on the stock of "parkland". The land use change statistics do not have a category which corresponds exactly to "parkland". The nearest category would be "outdoor recreation".
	Land use change statistics show the amount of land changing its use from "outdoor recreation" to previously-developed ("brownfield"), but this figure can only be compared against the overall amount of change or the total area of Eastbourne or East Sussex.
	The land use change statistics show that between 1996 and 2005:
	(i) 1.5 per cent. of the land changing its use in Eastbourne changed from "outdoor recreation" to a developed ("brownfield") use. This change is 0.1 per cent. of the total area of Eastbourne district.
	(ii) 0.7 per cent. of the land changing its use in East Sussex changed from "outdoor recreation" to a developed ("brownfield") use. This change is less than 0.1 per cent. of the total area of East Sussex.
	Information on the percentage of "greenfield" land that has been developed in Eastbourne or East Sussex is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. This is because central Government do not hold data on the stock of "greenfield" land.
	Land use change statistics show the amount of land changing its use from non previously-developed ("greenfield") to developed ("brownfield"), but this figure can only be compared against the overall amount of change or the total area of Eastbourne or East Sussex.
	Land use change statistics show that between 1996 and 2005:
	(i) 24.8 per cent. of land changing its use in Eastbourne changed from a non previously-developed ("greenfield") use to a previously-developed ("brownfield") use. This change is 1.4 per cent. of the total area of Eastbourne district,
	(ii) 13.1 per cent. of land changing its use in East Sussex changed from a non previously-developed ("greenfield") use to a previously-developed ("brownfield") use. This change is 0.4 per cent. of the total area of East Sussex.

Second Homes: Rural Areas

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the effect of second homes and holiday lets on the social cohesion of small rural communities.

Iain Wright: This is an issue on which the Government are seeking to improve the evidence base. The National Housing and Planning Advice Unit, established in November 2006, has recently announced plans to conduct research to explore the impact of second homes across the country—including in small rural communities—working with the Department for Food and Rural Affairs and Communities and Local Government.

Sewers: Repairs and Maintenance

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the Government provides funding to local authorities in England specifically for the maintenance of drains.

John Healey: The Government provide funding for local authority responsibilities in relation to drains maintenance as part of the general formula grant.

Social Sector Working Party on Housing: Meetings

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what she next expects the Social Sector Working Party on housing to meet.

Iain Wright: The Chairman of the Social Sector Working Party is arranging the next meeting of the Working Party for September.

Travelling People: Caravan Sites

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Travellers in England were recorded as occupying unauthorised encampments in each year since 1997.

Iain Wright: Communities and Local Government publishes data on the number of Gypsy and Traveller caravans on both authorised and unauthorised sites, on a twice yearly basis. This information is available on our website:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=l153575
	The table shows the number of Gypsy and Traveller caravans on unauthorised encampments in England published on a twice yearly basis since 1997.
	
		
			   Total number of unauthorised encampments in England 
			 January 1997 1,704 
			 July 1997 2,770 
			 January 1998 1,792 
			 July 1998 2,951 
			 January 1999 1,717 
			 July 1999 2,555 
			 January 2000 1,788 
			 July 2000 2,513 
			 January 2001 1,638 
			 July 2001 2,382 
			 January 2002 1,637 
			 July 2002 2,261 
			 January 2003 1,620 
			 July 2003 2,315 
			 January 2004 1,594 
			 July 2004 2,377 
			 January 2005 1,301 
			 July 2005 2,099 
			 January 2006 1,118 
			 July 2006 1,772 
			 January 2007 1,286

PRIME MINISTER

Departments: Recruitment

Theresa May: To ask the Prime Minister how much his Office paid in fees to recruitment agencies for  (a) temporary and  (b) permanent staff in each year since 1997.

Gordon Brown: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the for Lincoln (Gillian Merron) today.

Departments: Written Questions

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make an assessment of conformity of Answers he has given to written parliamentary questions with Cabinet Office guidance on the matter; and if he will make a statement.

Gordon Brown: Section 1 of the Ministerial Code provides guidance to Ministers on answering parliamentary questions.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Pensions: Family Credit

Steve Webb: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality pursuant to the answer of 2 July 2007,  Official Report, column 945W, on pensions: family credit, how many current recipients of state-earnings-related pensions  (a) in total and  (b) born in each year from 1939 to 1947 have an enhanced pension in respect of previous receipt of family credit; and if she will estimate the average amount of enhancement for those currently benefiting.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 9 July 2007
	I have been asked to reply.
	The information is not collated centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departments: Flint Bishop Solicitors

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have made payments to Flint Bishop Solicitors since 1997.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office and its agencies have not made any payments to Flint Bishop Solicitors.

Police: Inquiries

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the Police Service Northern Ireland officer-time has been spent on historical inquiries in the last two years; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The PSNI is committed to providing all material in its possession to assist the inquiries to carry out their legal obligations. To deliver on this commitment, the organisation has sought to maximise the role of PSNI support staff in order to maintain the operational effectiveness of its police officers. To achieve this, PSNI has committed resources to dedicated units and teams such as:
	Historic Enquiries Team (HET)
	Retrospective Murder Review Unit (RMRU)
	Public Inquiry Unit (PIU)
	Stevens Enquiry Team
	Police Ombudsman (NI) liaison
	Murder Archive/Exhibit Store
	Rosemary Nelson Murder Inquiry team
	These units and teams currently employ 288 staff, the majority of whom are support staff. 19.5 PSNI officers have dedicated roles within these teams which interact directly with colleagues across the organisation on a regular basis.
	There is no straightforward way to establish the percentage of time spent on historical inquiries. Providing an accurate response to the question asked would entail disproportionate time and resources.

HEALTH

Junior Doctors

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of junior doctors who have not been successful in securing a training post for 1 August.

Alan Johnson: 14,681 applicants in England were not successful in round 1. However, round 2 is ongoing and all applicants in substantive national health service employment will continue to have employment until 31 October. As most applicants are currently NHS employees and will still be needed in the NHS, most unsuccessful applicants should be able to find or return to a service post.
	For those appointable doctors who are not successful at the end of round 2 we have prepared an extra package of support which includes:
	about 1,000 extra one-year and GP training posts;
	access to career information via local Deaneries;
	a careers website for junior doctors; and
	educational grants.
	In this way, any junior doctor who has been judged to be appointable by an interview panel of senior doctors will have access to a training or educational opportunity next year.
	In addition, we are currently in discussions with Foundation Programme Directors and Deans to see what options might be available for Foundation Programme doctors who complete the programme but are unsuccessful in securing specialty training posts.
	We are also opening up discussions with the BMA, the Academy of Royal Colleges and other representatives of the medical profession to discuss whether there is any risk that high academic achievers may be missed by the end of the recruitment process and if so how we can avoid that happening.

NHS Reconfiguration

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the progress of the reconfiguration of NHS institutions.

Ann Keen: The NHS is changing because medicines and treatments are changing. If we do not keep up with the times, services will not keep on improving. Local services are changing for the benefit of patients. That means safer surgery, quicker recovery times, shortened lengths of stay in hospital, more people receiving hospital-style treatment in their own homes, and more investment in local services.
	Changes to local services are however a matter for the local NHS.

Minor Injury Units

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future role of minor injury units.

Ben Bradshaw: The national health service locally is best placed to understand the needs of patients and staff, working with them and other key groups to plan, develop and improve services. The key is ensuring appropriate, timely and safe access to care for patients.
	There was some temporary reduction in Minor Injury Unit opening hours last year as part of the financial recovery plan and the formation of Devon Primary Care Trust (PCT). The PCT is now in surplus and is conducting a full review with Devon county council with its social community services.

Primary Care Services

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to improve access to primary care services; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: I would like to draw my hon. Friend's attention to the written statement given today by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health.

Polyclinics

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the role of polyclinics in the NHS.

Ben Bradshaw: Polyclinics provide the opportunities for care closer to people's homes, rather than in hospitals. Whether a particular area would benefit from a polyclinic will be a decision for the health service locally, in consultation with the public and national health service staff.

BCG Vaccination

Jeremy Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of availability of the BCG vaccination; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Chief Medical Officer's letter of 6 July 2005 announced that the universal  Bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG) vaccination programme was being replaced by a programme targeted at children in high risk groups.
	Contracts are in place for the continued supply of BCG vaccine for those who require it.

Maternity Units

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on maintaining the number of maternity units in England; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: Since January 2006, we have received over 25,000 pieces of correspondence concerning local NHS service change. Of these, we know that 619, for example, were part of a campaign against the proposed closure of Stroud Hospital maternity unit.

Waiting Times

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Health Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government on waiting times for Welsh patients treated by the National Health Service in England.

Ben Bradshaw: There have been no recent discussions between Department of Health Ministers and the Welsh Assembly Government on this matter. However, cross-border matters such as this one are discussed at regular meetings between the Welsh Assembly Government and Wales Office Ministers, of which the Department is kept aware, and at regular meetings of officials.

Epilepsy

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage primary care trusts to improve epilepsy services and in particular promote awareness of the risk of sudden deaths.

Ann Keen: Through the Action Plan on Epilepsy, National Service Framework for Long-Term Conditions and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance we have provided local national health service organisations with evidence-based markers of good practice to support service improvements. This includes an emphasis on supporting and empowering patients to manage their condition and mitigate the risk of sudden death.

NHS Finance: Coventry

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of trends in funding levels to Coventry NHS trusts since 1992.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department holds data on the total income of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire National Health Service Trust (Walsgrave Hospitals NHS Trust in 1999-2000) for the period 1999-2000 to 2005-06.
	However, no assessment of these data have been undertaken by the Department as revenue allocations are made directly to primary care trusts (PCTs), not to NHS trusts or individual hospitals. NHS trusts receive most of their income through the commissioning arrangements they have with PCTs.
	In addition, strategic health authorities monitor the financial position of NHS trusts to ensure that all NHS organisations within their areas are maintaining financial stability.

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to address mortality and morbidity caused by peripheral arterial disease in England.

Dawn Primarolo: There is no specific work programme on peripheral arterial disease but a number of the Department's initiatives are relevant to the prevention or treatment of this condition. For example the Quality and Outcomes Framework of the general practitioner (GP) contract provide incentives for GPs to control key risk factors for peripheral arterial disease, such as smoking and hypertension.

Social Care

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to bring forward proposals on the future funding of social care.

Ivan Lewis: The comprehensive spending review will be published in the autumn and will set the level of central Government funding for local government for 2008-09 to 2010-11, including for adult social care services.

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many alcohol related deaths there have been amongst teenagers in the last  (a) 12 months and  (b) five years in (i) Hampshire and (ii) England.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 24 July 2007:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many alcohol related deaths there have been amongst teenagers in the last (a) 12 months and (b) five years in (i) Hampshire and (ii) England. I am replying in her absence. (151008).
	The attached table provides the number of deaths of persons aged 13 to 19 with an alcohol-related underlying cause in (a) 2006 (the latest year available) and (b) the five year period 2002 to 2006, in (i) Hampshire county and (ii) England.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of deaths with an alcohol-related underlying cause of death( 1) , persons aged 13 to 19, Hampshire and England( 2) , 2006 and 2002-06( 3) 
			  Deaths (persons) 
			   2006  2002-06 
			 Hampshire 0 1 
			 England 3 21 
			 (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). The specific causes of death categorised as alcohol-related, and their corresponding ICD-10 codes, are shown in the following box. (2) Based on local authority boundaries as of 2007. (3) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. 
		
	
	
		
			  Box : Alcohol-related causes of death— International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) 
			  Cause of death  ICD-10 code(s) 
			 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol F10 
			 Degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol G31.2 
			 Alcoholic polyneuropathy G62.1 
			 Alcoholic cardiomyopathy I42.6 
			 Alcoholic gastritis K29.2 
			 Alcoholic liver disease K70 
			 Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified K73 
			 Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver (excl. Biliary cirrhosis) K74 (excl. K74.3-K74.5) 
			 Alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis K86.0 
			 Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol X45 
			 Intentional self-poisoning by and exposure to alcohol X65 
			 Poisoning by and exposure to alcohol, undetermined intent Y15

Alcoholic Drinks: Young People

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors.

Vernon Coaker: I have been asked to reply.
	We have carried out two Tackling Underage Sales of Alcohol Campaigns (the most recent of which included a 10-week operational phase which concluded on 13 July) through which police and trading standards officers have targeted over 3,000 potential problem premises that break the law by selling alcohol to under-18s. These national campaigns make use of tough sanctions available under newly commenced legislation to prosecute the premises licence-holder, where there are persistent sales of alcohol to children. Prior to this, we carried out four national Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns (AMECs) between 2004 and 2006.
	As a consequence of these test-purchase campaigns, retailers have strengthened their procedures and training of staff in relation to alcohol sales. Most retailers have now adopted the 'Challenge 21' policy, whereby anyone appearing to be under 21 is asked to produce a valid form of identification prior to any sale of alcohol. Test-purchase failure rates have dropped accordingly, indicating that it is increasingly difficult for under-18s to purchase alcohol illegally. During AMEC one in 2004, the overall test-purchase failure rate was 50 per cent. By AMEC four in the summer of 2006, it had reached 29 per cent. and 21 per cent. for the on and off-licence trade respectively, and 18 per cent. for supermarkets. In addition, the Licensing Act 2003 also increased penalties for selling alcohol to children with the maximum fine increasing to £5,000 on conviction, and the possibility for courts to suspend or order forfeit of personal licences on a first offence as opposed to a second conviction, as was previously the case.

Baby Care Units

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies born in England in each of the last five years required neonatal care in a specialist unit.

Ann Keen: Information is not available in the format requested. However, information is in the following table on the number of finished consultant episodes (FCE) where neonatal care was provided in a specialist unit. This is not equivalent to the number of babies requiring care in a specialist unit. A baby may have had more than one FCE of neonatal care in a specialist unit.
	
		
			  Count of finished consultant episodes where neonatal care was provided in a specialist unit, 2001-02 to 2005-06 NHS hospitals, England 
			Special care  Level 2 intensive care  Level 1 intensive care  Total episodes 
			 2005-06 General episode 18,598 3,475 4,394  
			  Birth episode 31,936 4,062 6,196  
			  Total 50,534 7,537 10,590 68,661 
			 2004-05 General episode 17,202 2,854 4,020  
			  Birth episode 31,121 4,069 5,480  
			  Total 48,323 6,923 9,500 64,746 
			 2003-04 General episode 18,259 3,160 4,063  
			  Birth episode 28,946 4,400 5,123  
			  Total 47,205 7,560 9,186 63,951 
			 2002-03 General episode 15,062 2,784 3,516  
			  Birth episode 28,884 4,421 5,063  
			  Total 43,946 7,205 8,579 59,730 
			 2001-02 General episode 19,763 2,956 3,962  
			  Birth episode 28,756 4,305 6,099  
			  Total 48,519 7,261 10,061 65,841 
			  Notes:  1. Definitions of neonatal care provided in specialist units. Special care: care given in a special nursery, transitional care ward or postnatal ward, which provides care and treatment exceeding normal routine care. Some aspects of special care can be undertaken by a mother supervised by qualified nursing staff. Special nursing care includes support for and education of the infants parents. 2. Level 2 intensive care: (high dependency intensive care): care given in an intensive or special care nursery, which provides continuous skilled supervision by qualified and specially trained nursing staff who may care for more babies than in level 1 intensive care. Care includes support for the infant's parents. 3. Level 1 intensive care: (maximal intensive care): care given in an intensive or special care nursery, which provides continuous skilled supervision by qualified and specially trained nursing and medical staff. Care includes support for the infant's parents. 4. Definitions of general and birth episodes General episode: A general episode is any episode which is not covered under other episode types. Other episode types include birth episodes, delivery episodes, patients formally detained under the provisions mental health legislation or long term psychiatric patients, other birth events and other delivery events. 5. Birth episode: A birth episode is the hospital episode that commences at birth. If a baby is transferred from another episode or re-admitted to hospital after discharge this new episode will not be classified as a birth episode, regardless of the age of the baby. 6. FCE An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year. 7. Data quality Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by over 300 national health service trusts and primary care trusts in England. The Information Centre for Health And Social Care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. 8. Ungrossed data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).  Source: HES, The Information Centre for health and social care.

Camping Sites: Sanitation

John Butterfill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to ensure that the use of land in Parliament Square as a campsite complies with Section 269 of the Public Health Act 1936; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government have taken no action to ensure the use of land in Parliament square as a campsite complies with section 269 of the Public Health Act 1936.

Cancer: Medical Treatments

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment within the NHS.

Ann Keen: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1382W and on 16 July 2007,  Official Report, columns 154-55W.

Cancer: Medical Treatments

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospitals provide photodynamic therapy cancer treatments.

Ann Keen: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 16 July 2007,  Official Report, columns 154-55W.

Contraception: Finance

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS was of emergency hormonal contraception in each of the last 10 years.

Dawn Primarolo: Only partial information is collected centrally.
	The information shown in the table is for prescriptions dispensed in the community in England. This does not include emergency hormonal contraception supplied by community contraception clinics or issued under Patient Group Directions.
	
		
			   Cost (£000) 
			 1999 0.6 
			 2000 1,377.7 
			 2001 1,953.6 
			 2002 2,174.4 
			 2003 2,283.7 
			 2004 2,129.0 
			 2005 1,945.9 
			 2006 2,210.0 
			  Source: Prescription information is taken from the Prescription Cost Analysis system, supplied by the Prescription Pricing Division of the Business Services Authority, and is based on a full analysis of all prescriptions dispensed in the community i.e. by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England. The data do not cover drugs dispensed in hospitals.

Dental Services

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the  (a) adult and  (b) child population of (i) Selby and York Primary Care Trust area, (ii) North Yorkshire Primary Care Trust area, (iii) Yorkshire and the Humber and (iv) England was registered with an NHS general dental practitioner in 2006.

Ann Keen: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14 May 2007,  Official Report, columns 578-79W.

Dental Services: Gloucestershire

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of NHS dental services in Gloucestershire.

Ann Keen: holding answer 23 July 2007
	Under the dental reforms launched in 2006, primary care trusts (PCTs) are now responsible for providing or commissioning national health service dental services to meet local needs.
	We understand that Gloucestershire PCT regards NHS dental services as a local priority and has announced plans to expand local services.

Doctors: Vacancies

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital doctor vacancies there are, broken down by grade and specialty, in each  (a) deanery and  (b) trust.

Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally.
	There are details of Medical Training Application Service (MTAS) vacancies by grade/level and specialty and this is on the Modernising Medical Careers website at www.mmc.nhs.uk. MTAS vacancies are also posted on Deanery websites.

Drinks: Nutrition

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the  (a) calorific content and  (b) hydrating properties of (i) orange juice, (ii) water, (iii) low-calorie carbonated drinks and (iv) fruit smoothies.

Dawn Primarolo: Data on the calorific content of foods can be found in the McCance and Widdowson's 'The Composition of Foods' series. Latest data from this series published in 2002 are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Food  Energy (kcal/100g) 
			 Orange juice, unsweetened (1)36 
			 Water 0 
			 Low calorie carbonated drinks e.g. diet cola (1)1 
			 Fruit smoothies (2)42-94 
			 (1 )Data are an average figure for a composite sample of products available on the market at the time of analysis. (2) Fruit smoothies have not yet been analysed for The Composition of Foods. Information made available by market leaders suggest energy values in this range, depending on products formulation.  Source: Food Standards Agency (2002) McCance and Widdowson's 'The Composition of Foods', Sixth summary edition. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry. 
		
	
	The Government have no plans to commission an assessment of the hydration properties of certain fluids.
	The Food Standards Agency advises people to consume 6 to 8 glasses (1.2 litres) of water, or other fluids, every day to prevent dehydration. This amount should be increased when the weather is warm or when exercising.

Genito-Urinary Medicine: Closures

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community sexual health clinics closed in each of the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: This information is not collected centrally.

Health Professions: Registration

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Health Professions Council takes to ensure protected titles are not used by those not entitled to use them.

Ben Bradshaw: A person commits an offence if they use a protected title and they are not registered with the relevant health professions regulator, including the Health Professions Council (HPC). I understand from the HPC that if it comes to their notice that a person is using a protected title without being registered it will issue a warning letter. If the person does not register (if qualified) and continues to use the title, the HPC can issue a 'cease and desist' letter. In most cases this action has been effective and the HPC says that it has not yet had to prosecute a case. Anyone improperly using a protected title may be subject to prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000.

Health Services: Autism

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the amount spent on  (a) Asperger's adult services and  (b) autism services in Norfolk in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: The Department has not estimated the amounts spent on Asperger's adult services and autism services in Norfolk. It is the responsibility of primary care trust to ensure that the services they commission meet the needs of the communities that they serve.

Health Services: Community Care

Terry Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the NHS has responsibility under the Continuing Care Guidance to provide  (a) chiropody,  (b) physiotherapy,  (c) speech and language therapy,  (d) occupational therapy,  (e) dietetic services and  (f) continence services and pads in all care settings;
	(2)  for what reasons guidance notes HSC2001(15): LAC(2001)18 and HSC(2003)006: LAC(2003)7 have been withdrawn.

Ann Keen: The National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which was published on 26 June, makes it clear that it is the responsibility of primary care trusts (PCTs) to identify, commission and contract for all services required to meet the needs of individuals who qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare and for the healthcare part of a joint care package.
	The National Framework supersedes HSC2001/15: LAC(2001)18. Guidance in HSC2003/006 : LAC(2003)7, remains current until 30 September 2007, but we will soon publish the guidance that supersedes it.

Health Services: Tourism

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of holidaymakers resident in  (a) Hampshire and  (b) England requiring treatment when they returned to the UK in each of the last five years; and what treatments they required.

Dawn Primarolo: This information is not centrally held by the Department.

Home Care Services: Oxygen

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost to the NHS is of providing  (a) routine and  (b) emergency domiciliary oxygen supplies in each health trust.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department does not hold this information centrally. There are 10 regional contracts supporting the provision of home oxygen to patients at home in England. Four services are available—emergency or urgent supply, short burst oxygen therapy, long-term oxygen therapy and ambulatory oxygen. The price for each service varies within the different service contract regions. Costs will also vary according to the number of patients using a service or combination of services and the patient's individual needs (for example, the amount of oxygen a patient uses each day).

Hospitals: Standards

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals are carrying out consultations on  (a) bed closures and  (b) service reductions.

Ann Keen: Any proposals for the reconfiguration of services are a matter for the national health service locally.
	There is a well established and well understood process for managing formal public consultations on proposals for major service change so that the public and other stakeholders can help to inform the local debate.

Human Papilloma Virus: Vaccination

Christine Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will take steps to ensure that the Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccination considers the benefits of the Australian model for introducing a human papilloma virus immunisation programme;
	(2)  if he will consider allowing young women up to the age of 25 to self-refer for human papilloma virus vaccination for two years after the proposed programme begins in 2008.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department has agreed in principle to accept the advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that human papilloma virus vaccines should be introduced routinely for girls aged around 12-13 years, subject to independent peer review of the cost benefit analysis. Details of the programme will be finalised in the coming months, following further advice from JCVI and discussions with the national health service on the implementation of the programme. JCVI is currently considering the evidence regarding the benefits and costs of vaccinating older girls, and will provide advice on this issue in due course.

Influenza: Vaccination

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to conduct a public debate on vaccine prioritisation in the event of an influenza pandemic, as recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in its meeting of 14 February 2007; and whether he plans to conduct a public debate on antiviral prioritisation in the event of an influenza pandemic.

Dawn Primarolo: In the event that the United Kingdom is involved in a worldwide pandemic influenza outbreak, the public will have an active role to play in ensuring the country's effective response.
	Building on the research already undertaken, it is proposed to start an ongoing programme of public engagement by the end of 2007. This will include debating vaccine and antiviral prioritisation as well as other issues of public concern in accord with the "National Framework for responding to an influenza pandemic" that was issued in draft in March 2007.

Kidney Patients: Portsmouth

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to implement the National Service Framework for Renal Services in Portsmouth.

Ann Keen: It is up to the national health service locally to implement the National Service Framework for Renal Services. The Department, however, is assisting the NHS in doing so by providing guidance and policy development expertise on subjects which are particularly challenging.

Malaria

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many British nationals have  (a) been diagnosed with and  (b) died of malaria in each year since 2001.

Dawn Primarolo: Information on the nationality of patients that are diagnosed with or died from malaria are not collected. However, the Health Protection Agency does publish an annual table of imported malaria cases and deaths, shown in the following table.
	The information is available on the Health Protection Agency website at:
	www.hpa.org.uk/infection/topics_az/malaria/cases_deaths.htm
	
		
			  Imported malaria cases and deaths, United Kingdom 2001-06 
			   Total (number of cases)  Deaths 
			 2006 1,758 8 
			 2005 1,754 11 
			 2004 1,660 5 
			 2003 1,722 16 
			 2002 1,945 9 
			 2001 2,050 9

Midwives: Employment

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the merits of providing all midwives, qualifying from universities in England with a guarantee of one year's paid employment as a midwife in the NHS in England.

Ann Keen: The Department has consulted with NHS Employers, strategic health authorities (SHA) and the Social Partnership Forum on maximising employment opportunities for newly qualified health care graduates. The consistent message from these consultations is that solutions need to be flexible, locally driven and founded on partnerships between employers, staff side and the higher education sector. Any new initiatives also need to be appropriately tested first.
	Accordingly, East of England SHA have offered to undertake a feasibility study into establishing a local voluntary guaranteed employment scheme. The feasibility study will last for one year and was launched on 15 May by East of England SHA. The outcome of the feasibility study will determine whether employment guarantee schemes are a viable option. If so, the nature and length of these schemes will be defined upon relevant factors established through the study.

Midwives: Training

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the merits of providing for six month preceptorship training for graduate midwives funded by primary care trusts; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: There are no plans to carry out an assessment centrally.
	It is for primary care trusts in partnership with local stakeholders to assess the needs of their local communities and to commission services accordingly, including the provision of preceptorships. While preceptorships are not mandatory, they are good practice and widely implemented across the responsibilities of a registered midwife and requirements of the post as set out in the terms and conditions of employment during that period.

MRSA: Disease Control

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 9 July 2007,  Official Report, column 1314W, on MRSA: disease control, if he will place in the Library a copy of the reports investigating the use of ozone to treat hospital infections.

Ann Keen: The reports on the seven products that use ozone reviewed by the Rapid Review Panel have been placed in the Library.

Nurses: Pay

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implementation of the nurses' pay award 2007.

Ann Keen: holding answer 23 July 2007
	Discussions continue between the Department, the NHS employers organisation and the national health service unions about this year's pay award. We are hopeful the outcome from these talks will enable the award to be implemented shortly.

Nurses: Training

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to  (a) provide and  (b) increase take-up of (i) training and (ii) education for existing school nurses in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: Post-registration training needs for NHS staff is a matter for local NHS bodies to determine in light of local priorities and local assessment of training needs.

Vaccines: Sleeping Contracts

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 2 October 2006,  Official Report, column 2531W, on Vaccines (Sleeping Contracts), when negotiations are required to be completed with vaccine manufacturers under the procurement directives; what progress has been made in placing a sleeping contract; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Negotiations with vaccine manufacturers have now been completed and a statement will be made in due course.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Admiralty House

Richard Spring: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what government property within Admiralty House has been  (a) used and  (b) not used for official purposes since 27 June.

Edward Miliband: The ground floor State Rooms have been used for a number of Government and military events since 27 June. The former Deputy Prime Minister will be vacating one of the residential flats shortly and the other two flats are currently unallocated.

Departments: Employment Agencies

Theresa May: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much the Cabinet Office paid in fees to recruitment agencies for  (a) temporary and  (b) permanent staff in each year since 1997.

Gillian Merron: It is not possible to identify from the Department's accounting system, how much the Cabinet Office paid in fees to recruitment agencies for  (a) temporary and  (b) permanent staff in each year since 1997. This information is therefore not available.

Departments: Flint Bishop Solicitors

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have made payments to Flint Bishop Solicitors since 1997.

Gillian Merron: The Cabinet Office has not made any payments to Flint Bishop Solicitors since 1997.

Departments: ICT

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what his Department's budget has been for the Government Communication Network in each year since its inception.

Gillian Merron: The 2005-06 budget for the team supporting the GCN was £2.1 million; the budget was the same in 2006-07 at £2.1 million.

Departments: Manpower

Richard Spring: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people are employed in the Cabinet Office in  (a) headcount and  (b) full-time equivalent.

Gillian Merron: As at 30 June 2007, Cabinet Office had  (a) 1,541 staff employed in headcount and  (b) 1,502,53 employed as full-time equivalent.

Departments: Official Cars

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which former Ministers  (a) occupied ministerial residences and  (b) had access to ministerial cars and chauffeurs at 18 July 2007.

Edward Miliband: holding answer 19 July 2007
	My right hon. Friends the Members for Kingston upon Hull, East (Mr. Prescott) and Derby, South (Margaret Beckett) are finalising arrangements to move out of Admiralty House and Carlton Gardens respectively.
	The use of official cars by any former Ministers after their departure from office is on the advice of the security authorities. In line with successive administrations, the Government do not comment on security issues.

Former Ministers: Redundancy Pay

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the total potential amount is of severance payments for those eligible who left office upon the change of Prime Minister, broken down by  (a) Department and  (b) individual former Minister; and whether any eligible former Ministers have refused to accept any or all of the severance payment available.

Edward Miliband: holding answer 23 July 2007
	The arrangements for ministerial severance pay are set out in the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991. Severance pay is paid by individual Departments.

Legal Costs

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who the 10 highest paid barristers were in respect of fees paid by a) the Treasury Solicitor and b) the Crown Prosecution Service in each of the last three years; what the fee income concerned was in each case; and if she will make a statement.

Edward Miliband: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Solicitor-General today.

Ministers: Pay

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what procedures are required to enable Ministers who wish to take a reduced or no ministerial salary to do so.

Edward Miliband: holding answer 23 July 2007
	If a Minister appointed to a paid ministerial position wishes to forgo all or part of their salary, they should advise the Prime Minister and their Department.

Olympic Games: Greater London

Robert Syms: To ask the Minister for the Olympics if she will hold a London 2012: Your Games, Your Say question and answer session in Poole.

Tessa Jowell: In partnership with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), I have committed to conducting regular public meetings in all the nations and regions of the UK before 2012 to give local people the opportunity to question members of the Olympic Family about all aspects of preparations for the London Games. The full programme of meetings and their locations is yet to be decided but I can confirm that residents of the South West will have an opportunity to take part in one such event.

Public Administration Select Committee: Government Responses

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to provide the Government's response to the  (a) First,  (b) Fourth,  (c) Fifth,  (d) Sixth and  (e) Seventh Reports of Session 2005-06 of the Public Administration Select Committee.

Edward Miliband: The Government responded to the Public Administration Select Committee's First Report of Session 2005-06 by way of a statement on the floor of the House on 28 March 2006,  Official Report, columns 681-84. The Government responded to the Committee's Sixth Report of Session 2005-06 on 2 November 2006 (HC 1081). The Government expect to respond to the other reports referred to in due course.

JUSTICE

Antisocial Behaviour: Poole

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many incidents of antisocial behaviour involving mini-motorbikes or other off-road vehicles were reported in Poole in each of the last five years; and how many of these have resulted in  (a) prosecution and  (b) antisocial behaviour orders.

Maria Eagle: Incidents relating to antisocial behaviour involving mini-motorbikes and details of antisocial behaviour orders relating to mini-motorbikes in Poole are not collected centrally by the Ministry of Justice or the Home Office.
	The statistical collections on the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform for offences committed by mini-motorcyclists cannot be distinguished from other motor vehicle offences because the offence as defined in legislation is not specific to any type of motor vehicle (e.g. driving on a footpath or vehicle not taxed or insured against third party risks) or it is not identified separately, and grouped together with other miscellaneous motoring offences.

Antisocial Behaviour: Poole

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many penalty notices for disorder have been given in Poole in the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) Scheme was introduced to all police forces in England and Wales in 2004, under provisions in the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.
	The Office for Criminal Justice Reform collects data on PNDs at police force area level only; more detailed information on the number of PNDs issued by police division is held on local police force databases.
	Poole is part of Dorset police force area. Data show that the number of PNDs issued by Dorset constabulary was 516 in 2004, 1,381 in 2005 and 2,262 in 2006 (provisional).

Driving Offences: Measurement

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) drivers and  (b) companies were prosecuted in each of the last five years for infringement of weight restrictions on roads.

Maria Eagle: The Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform does not separately identify the offence of exceeding the weight limit on a specified road from other summary motoring offences within the offence group 'Other load offences'.

Driving Under Influence: Sentencing

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convictions for drink-driving resulted in custodial sentences in  (a) 2005 and  (b) 2006, broken down by police authority.

Maria Eagle: Data for 2005 will not be available until after the Statistical Bulletin "Motoring Offences and Breath Test Statistics, England and Wales, 2005" is published in the autumn. Data for 2006 will be published next year.

Fixed Penalties: Yorkshire and Humberside

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many fixed penalty notices were issued by West Yorkshire Police in  (a) 2005 and  (b) 2006; how many of those notices have been paid; how many have been sent to be determined in court; and how many have remained unanswered.

Maria Eagle: The information collected by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform identifies the number of motoring offences fixed penalty notices issued by result at police force area level. (Data are collected on the disposal, i.e. paid, fine registration certificate issued etc.). However, because of the time taken for the procedures for payment to be enforced, the data are collected approximately nine months later than the period of issue.
	2005 data will be available in the 2006 publication "Offences relating to motor vehicles, England and Wales, Supplementary tables" which is expected to be published in 2008. 2006 data will be in the 2009 publication.

Police Cautions

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) cautions,  (b) on-the-spot fines and  (c) formal warnings were issued by each police force in each of the last 10 years, for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: The number of defendants cautioned from 1996 to 2005 in England and Wales, broken down by police force area is shown in the following table. Data for 2006 will be available in the autumn of 2007.
	In addition, the Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) Scheme was introduced to all police forces in England and Wales in 2004. Under the scheme, police can issue 'on-the-spot fines' of £50 or £80 for a specified range of minor disorder offences. The number of PNDs issued in 2004 and 2005 by police force area, together with provisional data for 2006, is shown in the following tables.
	Formal warnings were also introduced in 2004; the number of offenders issued with a formal warning for 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 is shown in the following tables. These data are presented by financial year, rather than calendar year.
	
		
			  Number of defendants cautioned, in England and Wales, broken down by police force area, 1996 to 2005( 1,2) 
			  Police force area  1996  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Avon and Somerset 3,910 3,773 4,534 5,197 4,764 4,351 4,286 4,615 5,075 6,107 
			 Bedfordshire 2,664 2,940 2,789 2,833 2,265 3,112 2,628 2,827 3,080 3,455 
			 Cambridgeshire 2,523 2,477 2,621 2,569 2,308 2,207 2,114 2,063 2,618 3,985 
			 Cheshire 4,602 4,048 4,587 3,592 3,111 2,780 2,085 3,051 3,268 4,572 
			 City of London 1,067 1,146 751 709 559 902 1,083 974 605 807 
			 Cleveland 7,757 7,242 5,583 4,321 3,267 3,087 3,020 3,256 3,490 3,617 
			 Cumbria 2,688 2,902 3,015 3,032 2,337 2,505 2,392 2,615 2,753 2,652 
			 Derbyshire 3,303 3,832 3,532 3,301 2,917 3,161 2,732 2,794 3,371 4,644 
			 Devon and Cornwall 8,822 8,042 7,047 7,226 7,283 7,177 7,224 7,870 6,951 7,175 
			 Dorset 1,052 964 1,741 1,787 1,926 1,787 1,709 1,789 3,114 3,115 
			 Durham 1,668 2,014 2,089 2,393 2,349 2,424 2,681 2,628 2,160 3,137 
			 Essex 7,829 6,717 6,064 5,296 4,690 4,640 4,330 4,277 4,799 7,530 
			 Gloucestershire 2,458 2,331 2,897 2,754 2,848 2,828 2,815 2,590 2,696 3,822 
			 Greater Manchester 17,874 16,297 19,716 16,142 12,389 11,181 9,774 11,063 12,778 13,184 
			 Hampshire 8,161 7,592 6,424 7,478 7,014 7,436 6,765 7,587 8,747 9,180 
			 Hertfordshire 2,858 3,057 2,867 2,779 3,182 3,237 3,096 3,378 3,826 4,006 
			 Humberside 4,535 3,968 4,509 3,756 3,533 3,250 2,632 2,874 4,118 5,386 
			 Kent 7,013 7,129 8,570 8,533 7,655 7,339 6,479 8,252 10,013 10,166 
			 Lancashire 8,778 9,333 8,909 7,355 6,777 7,189 6,515 8,205 10,229 10,345 
			 Leicestershire 3,644 3,155 3,409 3,202 2,512 2,149 804 2,564 3,898 5,029 
			 Lincolnshire 3,604 2,566 2,425 1,957 1,440 1,799 2,101 2,063 2,177 3,672 
			 Merseyside 12,807 13,763 14,205 12,159 8,216 6,142 6,331 6,165 6,388 3,785 
			 Metropolitan Police 54,263 53,632 57,969 46,239 36,758 31,337 32,088 31,324 31,833 35,152 
			 Norfolk 5,053 4,460 3,345 2,809 2,773 2,302 2,345 2,314 2,774 3,013 
			 North Yorkshire 2,444 1,852 2,238 2,531 2,461 2,590 2,646 2,722 2,740 2,405 
			 Northamptonshire 3,010 2,352 3,176 3,021 3,431 3,679 3,560 2,716 2,591 3,237 
			 Northumbria 17,795 17,586 14,620 14,505 14,165 14,065 15,694 16,779 16,246 16,628 
			 Nottinghamshire 6,358 5,966 5,808 5,323 5,142 5,118 3,862 4,814 4,868 7,640 
			 South Yorkshire 5,163 4,965 5,306 6,217 3,950 4,304 4,102 4,839 4,891 9,506 
			 Staffordshire 6,014 5,905 4,958 4,105 5,628 5,455 6,124 5,585 4,616 6,496 
			 Suffolk 3,115 3,188 3,345 2,695 3,201 3,459 3,336 3,636 3,484 3,670 
			 Surrey 3,297 2,861 3,514 3,914 3,213 4,097 3,675 4,793 5,435 5,654 
			 Sussex 7,157 6,640 5,762 6,393 6,670 7,666 8,151 8,162 8,709 9,146 
			 Thames Valley 4,377 3,705 3,209 4,626 6,790 5,157 6,149 6,534 8,243 13,337 
			 Warwickshire 2,289 2,160 2,143 2,061 1,785 2,161 2,024 2,277 1,936 2,920 
			 West Mercia 3,973 5,866 5,836 5,297 5,380 6,385 6,357 6,251 6,658 7,747 
			 West Midlands 14,830 15,836 17,093 17,138 15,575 14,517 15,078 15,143 13,751 17,706 
			 West Yorkshire 8,349 8,875 9,676 9,923 9,633 9,071 10,073 11,277 14,959 17,904 
			 Wiltshire 1,932 2,575 2,497 2,678 2,853 2,115 1,695 2,347 1,985 2,046 
			 Dyfed-Powys 2,240 3,109 3,452 3,313 3,185 3,495 3,761 4,491 3,170 3,973 
			 Gwent 4,963 5,329 5,780 5,502 4,529 4,258 3,803 3,666 1,456 2,553 
			 North Wales 3,226 3,074 3,544 3,619 3,124 3,120 3,559 3,299 3,237 2,706 
			 South Wales 6,733 6,869 6,339 5,852 5,399 4,826 3,680 5,337 6,032 6,135 
			 Total 286,198 282,093 287,894 266,132 238,987 229,860 225,358 241,806 255,768 298,945 
			 (1) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (2) These data are on the principal offence basis. 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of penalty notices for disorder issued to all offenders by police force area, all offences, England and Wales 2004 and 2005, and provisional data for 2006( 1) 
			  Police force area  2004  2005  2006( 2)  Total 
			 Avon and Somerset 508 3,244 3,876 7,628 
			 Bedfordshire 503 1,239 1,602 3,344 
			 Cambridgeshire 359 1,046 1,346 2,751 
			 Cheshire 972 2,387 2,265 5,624 
			 Cleveland 559 2,806 3,552 6,917 
			 Cumbria 578 1,220 1,677 3,475 
			 Derbyshire 656 1,593 2,537 4,786 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,889 5,134 6,976 13,999 
			 Dorset 516 1,381 2,262 4,159 
			 Durham 597 1,149 1,583 3,329 
			 Essex 2,802 4,454 4,357 11,613 
			 Gloucestershire 473 1,721 2,654 4,848 
			 Greater Manchester 2,253 7,256 10,532 20,041 
			 Hampshire 2,116 3,658 4,365 10,139 
			 Hertfordshire 412 1,296 5,312 7,020 
			 Humberside 1,596 3,265 5,385 10,246 
			 Kent 767 5,032 6,889 12,688 
			 Lancashire 5,077 10,222 12,401 27,700 
			 Leicestershire 756 1,909 2,376 5,041 
			 Lincolnshire 544 2,373 1,930 4,847 
			 London, City of 60 219 305 584 
			 Merseyside 3,929 11,937 11,269 27,135 
			 Metropolitan 12,758 18,047 20,171 50,976 
			 Norfolk 475 676 1,323 2,474 
			 North Yorkshire 1,078 1,596 2,367 5,041 
			 Northamptonshire 570 1,403 2,498 4,471 
			 Northumbria 211 2,147 6,307 8,665 
			 Nottinghamshire 1,060 2,119 2,205 5,384 
			 South Yorkshire 2,098 3,710 5,989 11,797 
			 Staffordshire 1,450 2,169 3,209 6,828 
			 Suffolk 472 901 1,460 2,833 
			 Surrey 203 641 2,819 3,663 
			 Sussex 1,509 4,193 5,023 10,725 
			 Thames Valley 1,038 5,795 6,676 13,509 
			 Warwickshire 481 933 1,016 2,430 
			 West Mercia 275 1,774 3,433 5,482 
			 West Midlands 4,773 7,320 7,925 20,018 
			 West Yorkshire 4,277 9,217 8,866 22,360 
			 Wiltshire 610 1,080 1,224 2,914 
			 Dyfed Powys 459 1,214 1,353 3,026 
			 Gwent 424 1,511 1,908 3,843 
			 North Wales 1,255 3,792 6,049 11,096 
			 South Wales 241 1,702 5,311 7,254 
			 England and Wales 63,639 146,481 192,583 402,703 
			 (1) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 2 Provisional figures. 
		
	
	
		
			  Formal warnings for cannabis possession 
			   2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Avon and Somerset 977 2,578 3,600 
			 Bedfordshire 603 643 324 
			 British Transport Police n/a 203 430 
			 Cambridgeshire 349 492 956 
			 Cheshire 311 393 532 
			 Cleveland 120 392 331 
			 Cumbria 272 219 231 
			 Derbyshire 665 513 497 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,956 1,532 1,473 
			 Dorset 369 340 348 
			 Durham 252 207 257 
			 Dyfed-Powys 917 799 887 
			 Essex 556 697 722 
			 Gloucestershire 371 395 419 
			 Greater Manchester 1,751 3,235 4,943 
			 Gwent 159 396 646 
			 Hampshire 698 1,113 1,477 
			 Hertfordshire 258 488 1,394 
			 Humberside 32 149 533 
			 Kent 198 497 652 
			 Lancashire 390 237 210 
			 Leicestershire 154 978 1,555 
			 Lincolnshire 79 n/a 543 
			 London, City of 505 682 373 
			 Merseyside 961 8,561 7,204 
			 Metropolitan Police 13,161 21,040 30,554 
			 Norfolk 486 638 731 
			 Northamptonshire 120 111 206 
			 Northumbria 199 155 1,419 
			 North Wales 543 793 971 
			 North Yorkshire 727 654 554 
			 Nottinghamshire 529 855 1,077 
			 South Wales 520 536 1,266 
			 South Yorkshire 560 1,023 1027 
			 Staffordshire 867 1,323 1,282 
			 Suffolk 600 64 573 
			 Surrey 523 482 754 
			 Sussex 866 1,350 1,971 
			 Thames Valley 2,232 1,883 2,431 
			 Warwickshire 340 419 649 
			 West Mercia 571 582 686 
			 West Midlands 2,025 3,451 2,852 
			 West Yorkshire 1,212 1,839 1,539 
			 Wiltshire 274 394 231 
			 England and Wales 39,258 63,331 81,310 
			 n/a = Not available.

Prison Service: Convictions

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison service employees were convicted of offences in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available, broken down by  (a) offence,  (b) length of sentence following conviction and  (c) grade of employee.

David Hanson: Currently information is not held centrally to answer the question to the level of detail required and could be obtained only by contacting each public sector prison establishment, headquarters group and outstation, which would incur a disproportionate cost. However, the Government plan to develop a shared service centre which, when fully live, will have improved IT capability that will enable us to produce accurate reports on information such as disciplinary action taken following receipt of a criminal conviction.

Prisoners: Foreigners

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many inmates of prisons in England and Wales were foreign nationals in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: Figures showing the numbers of foreign national prisoners held in prison establishments in England and Wales can be found in the following table.
	
		
			  Foreign national prisoners held in prisons in England and Wales June 2002-06 
			   Foreign national prisoners  British nationals  Not recorded  All prisoners 
			 2002 7,719 62,553 946 71,218 
			 2003 8,728 62,417 1,142 72,286 
			 2004 8,941 64,379 1,168 74,488 
			 2005 9,651 65,670 869 76,190 
			 2006 10,879 66,160 944 77,982 
			 2007 (April) 11,231 68,124 905 80,261 
		
	
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Prisoners: Rehabilitation

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners in each prison in Wales are registered as having a drug or alcohol problem; and how many are engaged in a rehabilitation course.

David Hanson: No records are kept of the number of offenders with drug or alcohol problems. The numbers engaged in drug treatment (2006-07) in Welsh prisons are given in the following table
	
		
			  Wales prisons  Clinical interventions( 1)  CARATs( 2 ) (assessments)  Drug rehabilitation programme starts(  3) 
			 
			 Cardiff 788 732 96 
			 Pare 400 362 96 
			 Prescoed/Usk n/a 236 n/a 
			 Swansea 453 402 152 
			 n/a = not available. (1) Clinical intervention may involve detoxification or maintenance. (2) Counselling, assessments, referral, advice and throughcare. CARAT assessments used as a proxy measure of engagement. (3) Entrants to intensive rehabilitation programmes are referred by CARAT teams. 
		
	
	No central records are kept of the number of offenders engaged specifically in treatment for an alcohol problem.

Prisoners: Rehabilitation

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will publish the report on the 12 step drug rehabilitation programme in Swansea prison which led to its closure.

David Hanson: There was no formal report informing the closure of the 12 Step Programme at HMP Swansea. The decision was reached after detailed discussions between the Governor of HMP Swansea and the Wales Area Drug Co-ordinator, with support from the National Drug Programme Delivery Unit (NDPDU). A key factor involved in the decision was the NDPDU audit reports. Copies of which I have placed in the Library of the House.

Prisoners: Rehabilitation

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what  (a) drug and  (b) alcohol rehabilitation courses are available at each prison in England and Wales.

David Hanson: A comprehensive framework is in place to address the needs of those with substance misuse problems:
	clinical services are available in all local and remand prisons, including alcohol detoxification (see following list 1);
	Counselling, Assessment, Referral, Advice and Throughcare (CARAT) services are available in all prisons with the exception of HMP Blantyre House. CARAT teams provide support to those where alcohol is part of a multiple drug misuse problem;
	the substance misuse service for 16 to 18-year-olds provides support for those with an alcohol problem (see following list 2);
	intensive drug rehabilitation programmes are run in 102 prisons (see following list 3,);
	Alcoholics Anonymous run groups in approximately 60 per cent. of prisons—the list of prisons is not held centrally and I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the list in the Library of the House; and
	intensive alcohol rehabilitation programmes are currently being piloted at HMP Bullingdon and HMP Featherstone.
	 1. Prisons offering clinical services for substance misuse
	Altcourse
	Ashfield
	Bedford
	Belmarsh
	Birmingham
	Blakenhurst
	Brinsford
	Bristol
	Brixton
	Brockhill
	Bronzefield
	Bullingdon
	Cardiff
	Castington
	Chelmsford
	Doncaster
	Dorchester
	Durham
	Eastwood Park
	Elmley
	Exeter
	Feltham
	Forest Bank
	Foston Hall
	Glen Parva
	Gloucester
	High Down
	Holloway
	Holme House
	Hull
	Leeds
	Leicester
	Lewes
	Lincoln
	Liverpool
	Low Newton
	Manchester
	New Hall
	Norwich
	Nottingham
	Parc
	Parkhurst
	Pentonville
	Peterborough Female
	Peterborough Male
	Preston
	Reading
	Shrewsbury
	Stafford
	Stoke Heath
	Styal
	Swansea
	Wandsworth
	Wetherby
	Winchester
	Woodhill
	Wormwood Scrubs
	 2: The substance misuse service for 16 to 18-year-olds
	HMP/YOI Ashfield
	HMP/YOI Brinsford
	HMP/YOI Castington
	HMP Cookham Wood
	HMP/YOI Downview
	HMP Eastwood Park
	HMP/YOI/RC Feltham
	HMP Foston
	HMP/YOI Hindley
	HMP/YOI Huntercombe
	HMP/YOI Lancaster Farms
	HMP/YOI New Hall
	HMP/YOI Parc
	HMP/YOI Stoke Heath
	HMP/YOI Thorn Cross
	HMP/YOI Warren Hill
	HMP/YOI Werrington
	HMP/YOI Wetherby
	 3. Intensive drug rehabilitation programmes
	Acklington
	Altcourse
	Ashwell
	Aylesbury
	Bedford
	Birmingham
	Blakenhurst
	Blundeston
	Bristol
	Brixton
	Bullingdon
	Camp Hill
	Canterbury
	Cardiff
	Castington
	Castle
	Channings Wood
	Chelmsford
	Coldingley
	Cookham Wood
	Dartmoor
	Deerbolt
	Doncaster
	Dorchester
	Downview
	Drake Hall
	Durham
	Eastwood Park
	Edmunds Hill
	Elmley
	Erlestoke
	Everthorpe
	Exeter
	Featherstone
	Ford
	Forest Bank
	Frankland
	Full Sutton
	Garth
	Gartree
	Glen Parva
	Gloucester
	Guys Marsh
	Haverigg
	Highdown
	Highpoint
	Hindley
	Hollesley Bay
	Holloway
	Holme House
	Hull
	Kingston
	Kirkham
	Lancaster
	Lancaster Farms
	Leeds
	Leicester
	Lewes
	Leyhill
	Lincoln
	Lindholme
	Littlehay
	Liverpool
	Long Lartin
	Low Newton
	Maidstone
	Manchester
	Moorland
	New Hall
	North Sea Camp
	Northallerton
	Norwich
	Nottingham
	Onley
	Parc
	Pentonville
	Portland
	Preston
	Ranby
	Reading
	Risley
	Rochester
	Send
	Stafford
	Stocken
	Stoke Heath
	Styal
	Swaleside
	Swansea
	Swinfen Hall
	The Mount
	The Verne
	Thorn Cross
	Wakefield
	Wandsworth
	Wayland
	Wealstun
	Wellingborough
	Whitemoor
	Winchester
	Wormwood Scrubs
	Wymott

Prisoners: Scotland

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many prisoners of Scottish origin are serving sentences in prisons in England and Wales, broken down by prison establishment;
	(2)  how many prisoners of English or Welsh origin are serving sentences in Scottish prisons.

David Hanson: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only by manually requesting every prisoner to identify their country of origin at a disproportionate cost.

Young Offenders: Restraint Techniques

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many inmates of young offender institutions received injuries requiring an overnight stay in hospital following restraint by prison officers in each of the last three years.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is held locally but not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. To obtain this information would require every prison that holds young offenders to check the record of every instance of use of force over the last three years to see if hospitalisation was involved.

Young Offenders: Smoking

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether juveniles held in  (a) secure training centres and  (b) secure children's homes are allowed to smoke cigarettes.

David Hanson: Young people held in secure training centres and secure children's homes are not allowed to smoke.

TREASURY

Average Earnings: Cornwall

Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average wage in Cornwall was at the latest date for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 24 July 2007:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the average wage in Cornwall was at the latest date for which figures are available. I am replying in her absence. (152107)
	Levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all full-time employees on adult rates of pay, whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. The ASHE, carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom.
	I attach a table showing the mean and median gross weekly earnings for all full-time employees in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly for the year 2006.
	
		
			  Gross weekly pay for employee jobs( a)  by place of work: 2006—Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 
			  £ 
			   Full-time employees  Full-time male  Full-time female 
			 Median 358 386 (*)321 
			 Mean 412 446 366 
			 (a) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.  Guide to quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an average of £200 with a CV of 5 per cent. (£10), we would expect the population average to be within the range £180 to £220.  Key: (*) CV <= 5 per cent. CV >5 per cent. and <= 10 per cent.  Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics.

Capital Gains Tax

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will  (a) update the estimates given for the cost of capital gains tax business paper relief in 2001-02 and 2002-03 in his Tax Ready Reckoner November 2002 and  (b) give an estimate for the years from 2003-04 to 2007-08.

Jane Kennedy: The estimates of the cost of the relief as published in the Tax Ready Reckoners and in table A3.1 of Financial Statement and Budget Reports are for business and non-business assets combined. Taper relief is dependent upon the volume of disposals, which in turn is driven by changes in asset prices, particularly share prices. The movement between 2001-02 and 2002-03 was also influenced by the maturing of business asset taper relief.
	The latest estimates of the Exchequer impact of taper relief for 2001-02 to 2006-07 are as follows.
	
		
			   Estimated cost (£ million) 
			 2001-02 550 
			 2002-03 3,500 
			 2003-04 2,750 
			 2004-05 3,500 
			 2005-06 4,620 
			 2006-07 6,020 
		
	
	Figures for 2005-06 and 2006-07 are available in the 'Estimated costs of the principal tax expenditure and structural reliefs' table at http//www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_expenditures/table1-5.pdf. Figures for 2007-08 are not available.
	The estimated costs are not the same as the yield from abolition of taper relief as they do not take into account any behavioural changes which would occur if taper relief was abolished.

Carbon Emissions: Pollution Control

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what cumulative cuts in carbon emissions measures outlined in the Budget were  (a) predicted to be delivered and  (b) delivered in each year since 1997.

Angela Eagle: The environmental impact of Budget measures (including carbon savings where appropriate) is set out in Table 7.2 of the Budget 2007 document. This information is included in the environmental section of each Budget and pre-Budget report since 1998.

Civil Servants: Poole

Robert Syms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil service posts he expects to be moved to Poole in the next five years.

Andy Burnham: Departments are responsible for meeting their Lyons relocation targets and some have yet to finalise their plans for meeting the remainder of the 2010 target. HM Treasury does not hold comprehensive data on where Departments intend to move staff to over the next five years.

Civil Service: Norfolk

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs have been moved into  (a) Great Yarmouth and  (b) Norfolk as a result of the Lyons review.

Andy Burnham: By December 2006 15 posts had been relocated from London and the south-east to Norfolk as part of the Lyons relocation programme. None of these posts had moved to Great Yarmouth.

Climate Change Levy

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the climate change levy in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Angela Eagle: The climate change levy is estimated to have reduced emissions by a cumulative 16.5 million tonnes of carbon up to 2005 and by 2010 it is estimated to deliver savings of over 3.5 million tonnes of carbon per year.

Council of Economic Advisers

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who the members are of the Council of Economic Advisers.

Angela Eagle: The Chancellor has appointed Andrew Maugham to the Council of Economic Advisers.

Council Tax: Valuation

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) of 21 June 2007,  Official Report, column 2138W, on council tax: valuation, which company provides the laser measuring devices; and what the total expenditure by the Valuation Office Agency on purchasing items from that firm was in each of the last three years.

Jane Kennedy: The Valuation Office Agency purchases its surveying equipment, including laser measuring devices, from a company called Survey Express Services Ltd. (SES) and is invoiced in bulk. It is not possible to identify individual purchases without incurring disproportionate cost.

Customs Officers: Complaints

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints were made against the behaviour of Customs officers during searches at British ports in each year since 1997.

Jane Kennedy: The total number of all types of complaint including staff behaviour made each year is published in the annual reports of HM Revenue and Customs, previously HM Customs and Excise. Centrally held records do not provide the further detail requested.

Departments: Agencies

Theresa May: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Department paid in fees to recruitment agencies for  (a) temporary and  (b) permanent staff in each year since 1997.

Angela Eagle: As explained in the answer given by the then Financial Secretary the hon. Member for Wentworth (John Healey) on 28 June 2007,  Official Report, column 873W, the fees paid to recruitment agencies for the Chancellor's Department could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information on spending on recruitment consultancy is not held in a format whereby it can be separated out from other external management consultancy, or from the cost of agency staff.

Departments: Flint Bishop Solicitors

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have made payments to Flint Bishop Solicitors since 1997.

Angela Eagle: In 2001 HM Customs and Excise made two payments totalling £15,749 to Flint Bishop Solicitors, recorded under their former name of Flint Bishop and Barnett. HM Customs and Excise merged with the Inland Revenue in 2005 to form HM Revenue and Customs.
	No other Chancellor's departments or their agencies have found any records of payments to Flint Bishop Solicitors within the last five years. Changes in accounting systems mean that a positive confirmation for all bodies over the whole period since 1997 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departments: Legislation

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Bills introduced by his Department in the last five years contained sunset clauses; and what plans he has for the future use of such clauses.

Angela Eagle: No Acts that received Royal Assent during this period contain sunset provisions, although by their nature the annual Appropriation and Consolidated Fund Acts, and many of the provisions of the Finance Acts and other tax legislation, are time limited or temporary in effect.
	The appropriateness of a sunset clause for the whole or part of any proposed legislation is considered on a case-by-case basis. It is also addressed when a regulatory impact assessment relating to legislation is being prepared.

Departments: Sexual Harassment

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Rayleigh (Mr. Francois) of 12 June 2007,  Official Report, column 938W, on Departments: sexual harassment, what steps are being taken to tackle  (a) sexual harassment and  (b) sexual discrimination in the Valuation Office Agency.

Jane Kennedy: The Valuation Office Agency has a Gender Equality Scheme and Action Plan which includes impact assessing the agency's policies in relation to diversity strands including "gender" and an action plan specifically to address "gender" issues.
	In addition to this the agency produces a monitoring report for diversity strands including "gender" and has a related consultative group chaired by a Management Board member.
	The agency also promotes and runs a "Springboard" mentoring programme of positive action for women and conducts equal pay audits to monitor remuneration. The agency plans to incorporate the gender equality duty into all staff training.

Employment: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex residents were in employment in (i) April 1997 and (ii) the most recent period for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 24 July 2007:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking how many (a) Eastbourne and (b) East Sussex residents were in employment in (i) April 1997 and (ii) the most recent period for which figures are available. I am replying in her absence. (151413)
	The Office for National Statistics compiles employment statistics for local areas from the annual local area Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation definitions.
	The attached table shows the number of people aged 16 and over, resident in the Eastbourne constituency, and for residents of East Sussex, who were in employment, for the 12 months ending February 1997, from the local area LFS and for the 12 months ending in December 2006 from the APS. Corresponding headline employment rates, for persons of working age (males aged 16 to 64 and females aged 16 to 59), are also provided. The rates allow changes to be seen in the context of changing population numbers.
	As these estimates are for a subset of the population in small geographical areas, they are based on small sample sizes, and are therefore subject to large margins of uncertainty. In this case, the sample sizes are not sufficient to give an accurate estimate of even the direction of the change over the period.
	
		
			  Employment in the Eastbourne parliamentary constituency and the county of East Sussex 
			   Eastbourne  East Sussex 
			   Level( 1)  (thousand)  Rate( 2)  (percentage)  Level( 1)  (thousand)  Rate( 2)  (percentage) 
			 February 1997 40 73.6 207 75.8 
			 December 2006 47 75.6 233 76.1 
			 (1) Persons aged 16 and over. (2) Persons of working age—males aged 16 to 64 and females aged 16 to 59.  Notes: 1. Estimates are subject to sampling variability. 2. Changes in the estimates over time should be treated with particular caution.  Source: Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey.

Employment: Parents

Terry Rooney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the employment rate is of non-resident parents where the parent with care is a lone parent receiving  (a) income support and  (b) working tax credit.

Jane Kennedy: This information is not available.

Employment: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were  (a) employed (i) full-time and (ii) part-time and  (b) unemployed in  (A) City of York constituency,  (B) City of York Council area,  (C) Yorkshire and the Humber and  (D) the United Kingdom (1) at the latest date for which figures are available and (2) at the same date in each of the previous 10 years.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 24 July 2007:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people were (a) employed (i) full-time and (ii) part-time and (b) unemployed in (A) City of York constituency, (B) City of York Council area, (C) Yorkshire and the Humber and (D) the United Kingdom (1) at the latest date for which figures are available and (2) at the same date in each of the previous 10 years. I am replying in her absence. (151614)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles employment statistics for local areas from the annual local area Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions.
	Table 1 attached, shows the number of people, aged 16 and over, resident in the City of York constituency, who were in full-time and part-time employment, for the 12 months ending in February for 1997 to 2004 from the local area LFS and for the 12 months ending in March for 2005 and 2006, and for the latest period, the 12 months ending in December 2006, from the APS. The table also shows corresponding data for residents of the City of York Unitary Authority, Yorkshire and the Humber and Great Britain.
	For unitary and local authorities, the ONS produces estimates of total unemployment, following ILO definitions, from a statistical model. Annual estimates for other areas are compiled from the annual local area LFS and the APS following ILO definitions.
	Table 2 attached, shows the number of people, aged 16 and over, resident in the City of York constituency, who were unemployed, for the 12 months ending in February for 1997 to 2004 from the local area LFS and for the 12 months ending in March for 2005 and 2006, and for the latest period, the 12 months ending in December 2006, from the APS.
	The table also shows corresponding data for residents of the City of York Unitary Authority, Yorkshire and the Humber and Great Britain. Corresponding headline employment rates, for persons of working age (males aged 16 to 64 and females aged 16 to 59), are also provided. The rates allow changes to be seen in the context of changing population numbers.
	As these estimates are for a subset of the population in small geographical areas, they are based on small sample sizes, and are therefore subject to large margins of uncertainty. In this case, for the City of York constituency and the City of York Unitary Authority, the sample sizes are not sufficient to give an accurate estimate of even the direction of the change over the period.
	ONS also compiles statistics for local areas of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). Table 3, attached, shows the annual average number of people, resident in the City of York constituency, the City of York Unitary Constituency, Yorkshire and the Humber and the United Kingdom, claiming JSA from 1997 to 2006. The number of claimants is also shown as a percentage of the resident working age population.
	
		
			  Table 1: Full-time and part-time employment; City of York constituency, City of York unitary authority, Yorkshire and  the Humber and Great Britain 
			  T housand 
			   City of York constituency  City of York  u nitary  a uthority 
			   In employment  In employment 
			  12 months ending  Full-time  Part-time  Total  Full-time  Part-time  Total 
			 February 1997 32 12 44 59 23 82 
			 February 1998 31 14 45 57 20 77 
			 February 1999 33 15 48 59 24 83 
			 February 2000 34 12 45 61 22 83 
			 February 2001 36 15 51 64 29 93 
			 February 2002 36 15 51 66 27 93 
			 February 2003 37 16 54 65 28 93 
			 February 2004 37 16 53 65 27 92 
			 March 2005 39 16 55 65 27 92 
			 March 2006 37 15 52 67 26 93 
			 December 2006 36 17 53 67 28 95 
		
	
	
		
			  T housand 
			   Yorkshire and the Humber  Great Britain 
			   In employment  In employment 
			  12 months ending  Full-time  Part-time  12 months ending  Full-time  Part-time  12 months ending 
			 February 1997 1,590 560 2,151 18,974 6,379 25,355 
			 February 1998 1,594 576 2,170 19,224 6,448 25,678 
			 February 1999 1,616 595 2,212 19,454 6,520 25,981 
			 February 2000 1,620 591 2,211 19,600 6,610 26,218 
			 February 2001 1,634 624 2,259 19,743 6,739 26,492 
			 February 2002 1,658 606 2,265 19,957 6,767 26,734 
			 February 2003 1,664 616 2,280 19,931 6,902 26,848 
			 February 2004 1,671 641 2,312 19,971 7,078 27,063 
			 March 2005 1,696 623 2,320 20,274 7,019 27,313 
			 March 2006 1,691 630 2,322 20,310 7,046 27,371 
			 December 2006 1,706 624 2,331 20,415 7,099 27,527 
			  Notes: 1. Data subject to sampling variability. 2. Changes in the estimates over time should be treated with particular caution.  Source: Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Unemployed aged 16 and over, resident in the City of York constituency, City of York unitary authority, Yorkshire and the Humber and Great Britain 
			  T housand 
			   City of York constituency  City of York unitary authority  Yorkshire and the Humber  Great Britain 
			  12 months ending  Level( 1)  Rate( 2 ) ( % )  Level( 3)  Rate( 2, 3 ) ( % )  Level( 1)  Rate( 2)  ( % )  Level( 1)  Rate( 2)  ( % ) 
			 February 1997 4 8.0 5 5.9 198 8.4 2,136 7.8 
			 February 1998 4 7.3 5 5.7 172 7.3 1,851 6.7 
			 February 1999 3 6.4 5 5.2 164 6.9 1,673 6.1 
			 February 2000 2 5.2 4 4.5 152 6.4 1,641 5.9 
			 February 2001 3 4.9 4 4.0 140 5.9 1,468 5.3 
			 February 2002 2 4.3 3 3.6 121 5.1 1,404 5.0 
			 February 2003 2 3.9 3 3.4 119 5.0 1,450 5.1 
			 February 2004 3 4.7 4 3.7 121 5.0 1,399 4.9 
			 March 2005 2 3.1 3 2.8 105 4.3 1,343 4.7 
			 March 2006 2 3.9 3 3.2 124 5.1 1,445 5.0 
			 December 2006 4 7.4 (4)n/a (4)n/a 136 5.5 1,555 5.3 
			 (1) Annual local area Labour Force Survey and Annual Population Survey data subject to sampling variability. (2) Unemployed as a percentage of the economically active population. (3) Model-based estimates subject to random variability. (4) Data unavailable until published on 31 July 2007.  Note: Changes in the estimates over time should be treated with particular caution.  Source: Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey; ONS. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Annual average number of claimants of jobseeker's allowance and proportions of working age population for residents of the City of York parliamentary constituency, City of York unitary authority, Yorkshire and the Humber and the United Kingdom. 
			   City of York constituency  City of York unitary authority  Yorkshire and the Humber  United Kingdom 
			   Number of claimants  Proportion( 1)  (%)  Number of claimants  Proportion( 1)  (%)  Number of claimants  Proportion( 1)  (%)  Number of claimants  Proportion( 1)  (%) 
			 1996 4,053 6.1 5,182 4.8 191,830 6.4 2,122,245 6.0 
			 1997 3,002 4.5 3,786 3.5 151,995 5.1 1,602,442 4.5 
			 1998 2,425 3.7 3,042 2.8 134,892 4.5 1,362,340 3.8 
			 1999 2,190 3.3 2,762 2.5 124,675 4.1 1,263,001 3.5 
			 2000 1,895 2.9 2,367 2.1 108,459 3.6 1,102,257 3.0 
			 2001 1,676 2.5 2,120 1.9 97,453 3.2 982,998 2.7 
			 2002 1,480 2.2 1,838 1.6 90,091 2.9 958,759 2.6 
			 2003 1,437 2.2 1,808 1.6 84,995 2.8 945,894 2.6 
			 2004 1,342 2.0 1,706 1.4 74,512 2.4 866,144 2.3 
			 2005 1,331 2.0 1,689 1.4 77,306 2.5 874,417 2.3 
			 2006 1,654 2.5 2,107 1.8 88,667 2.8 956,732 2.6 
			 (1) Number of claimants expressed as a percentage of the resident working-age population.  Source: Jobcentre Plus administrative data

Forfeiture: Motor Vehicles

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cars were impounded by Customs officers in each year since 1997, broken down by reason for impounding.

Jane Kennedy: The number of vehicles seized is published in the annual reports of HM Revenue and Customs, previously HM Customs and Excise. Centrally held records do not provide the breakdown required.

Forfeiture: Motor Vehicles

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many successful appeals there were against the impounding of vehicles by Customs officers in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Centrally held records do not provide the breakdown requested.

Futurebuilders Fund

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which projects dealing with children's  (a) physical and  (b) mental health have received Futurebuilders funding; and how much was received by each.

Phil Hope: I have been asked to reply.
	A total of £18,787,579 Futurebuilder investments in grant and loan finance have been made in 21 projects specifically dealing with children's physical and mental health. These are listed in the following table:
	
		
			   £ 
			  (a) Children's physical and mental health  
			 Chiltern Centre for Disabled Children 14,000 
			 Real Life Parenting 16,000 
			 Nottingham Regional Society for Adults and Children with Autism 18,000 
			 National Blind Children's Society 20,000 
			 Makaton 513,000 
			 British Institute for Brain Injured Children (BIBIC) 732,000 
			 Bayis Sheli 3,200,000 
			 TreeHouse 5,209,357 
			 Bangladeshi Parents and Carers Association 1,209,000 
			 First Step Opportunity Group 462,000 
			 Springboard Opportunity Group 130,900 
			 Total 11,524,257 
			   
			  (b) Children's mental health  
			 Headliners (formerly Children's Express) 18,237 
			 Pupil Parent Partnership 20,000 
			 COASTS 58,335 
			 Med Theatre 78,750 
			 Bubble Theatre 104,000 
			 Antidote 155,000 
			 CHeCC (Cross-Herts Community Counselling) 385,000 
			 St. Christopher's Fellowship 1,473,000 
			 Place2Be 2,718,000 
			 The Lighthouse Group 2,253,000 
			 Total 7,263,322

HM Revenue and Customs: Great Yarmouth

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many HM Revenue and Customs staff employed in Havenbridge House Great Yarmouth  (a) are female and  (b) work flexitime.

Jane Kennedy: As at 1 July 2007, 145 HM Revenue and Customs staff were employed in Havenbridge House, Great Yarmouth, of whom 97 were female.
	Flexitime is not a contractual right for any HMRC staff, but most staff are able to work flexibly within their contracted hours provided this does not conflict with local business need.

HM Revenue and Customs: Manpower

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff HM Revenue and Customs employs; and how many more posts are planned to be lost to meet the targets set in the Gershon Review.

Jane Kennedy: As at 1 July 2007 HMRC employed 86,948 full-time equivalent staff and had reduced its workforce by 12,132 posts since 1 April 2004. This leaves a balance of 368 full-time equivalent posts to achieve the Department's efficiency target of a net reduction of 12,500 posts by 31 March 2008.

HM Revenue and Customs: Manpower

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how HM Revenue and Customs staff are encouraged to respond to consultations arising from the Gershon Review.

Jane Kennedy: HM Revenue and Customs is undertaking a major restructuring programme to enable it to meet the staffing reduction targets arising from the Gershon Review, and other PSA efficiency and customer service targets.
	All staff have been encouraged to take part in consultation exercises both on business and accommodation restructuring proposals.

Housing

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many domestic properties in England have greenhouses according to Valuation Office Agency records.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 June 2007,  Official Repor t, 1667W.

Housing: Prices

Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion the average national income was of the average house price in  (a) Cornwall and  (b) England at the most recent date for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings reports that average male full-time earnings in 2006 were £32,744. Data from the Land Registry shows that in 2006 Q3 the mean house price in England was £214,471, and in Cornwall £217,776. Therefore the proportion of average national income to average house prices in Cornwall and England are 6.7 and 6.5 respectively.

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

David Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the net difference in income tax revenue collected since 1997 if the top rate of income tax had been uprated in line with earnings.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 23 July 2007
	The estimated costs of uprating the threshold at which taxpayers start paying income tax at the higher rate in line with earnings from 1998-99 are in the table.
	
		
			   £ million 
			   Cost 
			 1998-99 40 
			 1999-2000 340 
			 2000-01 890 
			 2001-02 1,020 
			 2002-03 1,600 
			 2003-04 1,830 
			 2004-05 2,200 
			 2005-06 2,470 
			 2006-07 2,920 
			 2007-08 3,240 
		
	
	These are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes, of which 2004-05 is the latest available. Estimates for later years are based on projections in line with Budget 2007 assumptions.

Infectious Diseases: Death

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths where the death certificate refers to healthcare-acquired infections there were in  (a) hospital and  (b) care homes in (i) Eastbourne and (ii) East Sussex in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 24 July 2007:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths where the death certificate refers to healthcare-acquired infections there were in (a) hospital and (b) care homes in (i) Eastbourne and (ii) East Sussex in each of the last 10 years. I am replying in her absence. (151498)
	Death certificates record the place where a person dies, but not where any infections may have been acquired. It is not possible from the information on a death certificate to know whether an infection was acquired in the hospital or other place where a patient died. Patients are often transferred between hospitals, nursing homes and other establishments and may have acquired infections in a different place from where they died.
	ONS does not receive information on 'healthcare-acquired infections' but special analyses of deaths involving two infections that are often associated with healthcare, MRSA and Clostridium difficile, are undertaken annually by ONS for England and Wales. The most recent figures were published in reports in Health Statistics Quarterly 33 in February of this year. This publication is available in the House of Commons library.
	The table below provides data on the number of death certificates of persons normally resident in East Sussex on which MRSA and Clostridium difficile were mentioned, from 1996 to 2005, the latest year for which figures are available. Breaking these figures down to local authority lever risks identifying individuals, and so figures can not be provided for Eastbourne.
	Figures are reported in Health Statistics Quarterly for deaths involving MRSA and Clostridium difficile by place of death, including general hospitals and nursing homes. These figures show that in England and Wales around 90 per cent of these deaths occur in NHS general hospitals. Breaking down the number of deaths in East Sussex by place of death would risk identifying individuals. Figures by place of death can therefore not be provided for either East Sussex or Eastbourne.
	
		
			  Number of death certificates where (a) Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus( 1)  and (b) Clostridium difficile( 2)  was mentioned, in residents of East Sussex( 3) , 1996-2005( 4,5) 
			   (a) MRSA  (b) Clostridium difficile 
			 1996 (6)— (5)n/a 
			 1997 (6)— (5)n/a 
			 1998 9 (5)n/a 
			 1999 10 23 
			 2000 14 (5)n/a 
			 2001 10 10 
			 2002 15 17 
			 2003 18 37 
			 2004 14 19 
			 2005 24 36 
			 (1) Identified using the methodology described in Griffiths C, Lamagni TL, Crowcroft NS, Duckworth G and Rooney C (2004). Trends in MRSA in England and Wales: analysis of morbidity and mortality data for 1993-2002. Health Statistics Quarterly 21, 15-22. (2) Identified using the methodology described in Office for National Statistics: Report: Deaths involving Clostridium difficile: England and Wales, 2001-2005. Health Statistics Quarterly 33, 71-75. (3) Figures are provided for usual residents of the current county of East Sussex. Deaths of residents of Brighton and Hove unitary authority are therefore excluded. (4) Data are for deaths occurring in each calendar year (5) Deaths involving Clostridium difficile can only be identified using the Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). This has been used by ONS for coding mortality from 2001 onwards and in 1999 for a bridge coding study. Data are therefore not available for 1996-1998 and 2000 when the Ninth Revision of the ICD was in use. (6) Where less than five deaths, numbers have been suppressed in line with ONS guidelines on disclosure and confidentiality.

Local Government Finance Funding Changes Independent Inquiry

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  whether representatives of his Department made any written submission or representation to the Lyons Inquiry on local government;
	(2)  whether  (a) HM Revenue and Customs and  (b) the Valuation Office Agency made any written submission or representation to the Lyons Inquiry on local government.

Angela Eagle: No submissions or representations were made on behalf of HMRC, VOA or HM Treasury. The inquiry published written submissions as part of its final report, archived at
	http://www.lyonsinquiry.org.

Married People: Separation

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many married couples have separated but are still married; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 24 July 2007:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your request for how many married couples have separated but are still married. I am replying in her absence. (151192)
	The Annual Population Survey (APS) combines results from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the English, Welsh and Scottish Labour Force Survey boosts. Marital status of individuals is asked, but the number of couples, according to whether they have separated or not, is not collected.
	In 2006 the APS indicates that there were 1.2 million individuals in the UK who were married and separated from their husband or wife. This figure does not include those individuals who were in a legally recognised Civil Partnership and separated from their civil partner. The comparable figure for married individuals living with their husband or wife is 24.5 million.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.

Pensions

Martin Horwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the potential impact of extending the possibility of exchanging private pension rights for a cash sum of a value greater than 25 per cent. of the total to situations where the total of that person's pension rights is greater than one per cent. of the Lifetime Allowance; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: The tax rules provide that where a member's total pension benefit rights in registered pension schemes do not exceed one per cent of the lifetime allowance then the member may commute some or all those benefits in return for receiving a taxable lump sum between age 60 and age 75. This process is known as "trivial commutation".
	At PBR 2006 the Government announced that HMRC would discuss with interested parties the concerns raised regarding the administration costs of paying trivial commutation lump sums under these rules. The Government will explore the way in which the current rules impact across a range of interests, bearing in mind both the potential impact on individual pensioners, pension savers, and pension providers and the way the rules fit with the Government's wider objectives in encouraging pension saving to produce an income stream in retirement.

Personal Income: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average wage for  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time (i) male and (ii) female employees is; and what the average household income for working age households was in City of York council area in (A) cash and (B) real terms in 2006.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 24 July 2007:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the average wage for (a) full-time and (b) part-time (i) male and (ii) female employee is and what the average household income for working age households was in City of York council area in (A) cash and (B) real terms in 2006. (151612)
	Levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all full-time and part-time employees on adult rates of pay, whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. The ASHE, carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom.
	I attach a table showing the mean and median Gross Weekly Earnings for all full-time and part-time employees in the city of York Unitary authority, for the year 2006.
	Estimates of average household income for working age households by council area are not available. Household income statistics for all households in the UK, based on the Family Resources Survey, are produced by the Department for Work and Pensions.
	
		
			  Gross weekly pay for employee jobs( a)  by place of work : 2006—City of York Unitary Authority 
			  £ 
			   Full-time employees  Full-time male  Full-time female  Part-time employees  Part-time male  Part-time female 
			 Median 455 *491 *391 *134 (b)x *145 
			 Mean 529 *578 444 *167 **148 *174 
			 (a) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. (b) Figure not published for reasons of quality. Guide to quality:  The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the duality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an average of £200 with a CV of 5 per cent. (10), we would expect the population average to be within the range £180 to £220. Key: CV <= 5 per cent. * CV> 5 per cent. and <= 10 per cent. ** CV> 10 per cent. and<=20 per cent. x CV>20 per cent.  Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics.

Police Informers: Pay

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total value was of rewards paid to informers by HM Revenue and Customs in each year since 1997.

Jane Kennedy: Rewards have been paid to informers by the two former departments, HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue, as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			 1997-98 1,670,812 
			 1998-99 1,052,033 
			 1999-2000 1,083,895 
			 2000-01 1,603,301 
			 2001-02 1,464,400 
			 2002-03 984,422 
			 2003-04 946,399 
		
	
	In line with an undertaking given during the debate on the Commissioners Revenue and Customs Bill, the amount of reward payments made by HMRC is published in our annual report. This was done in the 2004-05 HMRC Annual Report (page 69), the 2005-06 HMRC Annual Report (page 75) and Spring 2007 Departmental Report (the new format for our Annual Report, on page 45).

Private Finance Initiative

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much his Department has spent on legal advice for the private finance initiative credit guarantee finance pilots;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the lessons of the private finance initiative credit guarantee finance pilots;
	(3)  whether the private finance initiative credit guarantee finance scheme will be rolled out nationally.

Angela Eagle: The Government continue to monitor and assess the Credit Guarantee Finance (CGF) scheme. The Government have previously announced that they do not intend to use CGF for more than a limited proportion of their PFI programme.
	The total amount HM Treasury has spent on legal advice for CGF pilots is £361,000.

Public Expenditure

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the reasons are for the timing of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: In July 2005, the Government announced its decision that, with the start of the next spending review period coming a decade after the first Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), the time was right for a second CSR. In the context of a rapidly changing world, the CSR would undertake a fundamental examination of the balance and pattern of public expenditure, and identify the investment and reforms necessary to equip the UK for the decade ahead. The Government announced that Departments budgets for 2007-08 would be unaltered from those previously announced and that the next CSR would conclude in 2007, setting departments budgets for the years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11. As announced at Budget 2007, the CSR will conclude by autumn 2007, at which point the Government will set out the final conclusions of the CSR.

Taxation: Disclosure of Information

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his Department first exchanged tax information in bulk about a class of taxpayers with another country; what sort of information has been exchanged in this way; whether such information is exchanged electronically; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: HM Revenue and Customs' records indicate that such exchanges have taken place on a reciprocal basis since at least the mid 1970s. Most exchanges relate to payments of interest, royalties, pensions and commissions made from a source in one country to persons resident in the other country. Information is exchanged in secure electronic form.

Taxation: Domicil

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the cost to date has been of the review into non-domicile taxation, broken down into  (a) staff costs,  (b) administration costs,  (c) office costs,  (d) stationery costs,  (e) entertainment costs and  (f) other costs; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many staff have worked on the review of non-domicile taxation carried out by his Department since 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: A number of HMRC and HMT staff have contributed directly or indirectly to the review since 2002, it is not possible to provide an exact number. The review is currently being managed by two HMT officials, supported by a number of other officials in HMT and HMRC who contribute to the review alongside other duties.
	Information on costs of individual stands of policy work is not held centrally.

Taxation: Domicil

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many investigations were undertaken into the income and assets held overseas by non-domiciled UK taxpayers in each of the last five years for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The information is not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

Teenage Pregnancy

Robert Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many teenage pregnancies there were in each of the last 10 years, broken down by  (a) age and  (b) local authority.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. A copy of his reply has been placed in the Library.

Terrorism: Finance

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many organisations found to have terrorist links have had their assets frozen; how much funding was frozen in total; how much such funding was returned to legitimate authorities in each of the last 10 years for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: Since 2001, a total of approximately £570,000 of suspected terrorist funds have been frozen in the UK including funds belonging to six designated organisations. All assets frozen remain the property of the designated individuals or organisations and are not disposed of by the Treasury. The Treasury reports to Parliament quarterly on the operation of its asset-freezing regime, including detail on the total amount of funds frozen. The latest such report was laid before Parliament on 12 July 2007.

Unemployment

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of economically inactive people who want a job;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of non-UK citizens who were economically active in the UK labour supply in each year since 1997; and what proportion of the labour force this represented in each year;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of individuals registered as inactive in the UK due to sickness and disability; and what benchmarking he has conducted of this number against numbers in other EU member states;
	(4)  how many and what proportion of people in the working age population were non-UK citizens in each year since 1997.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 24 July2007:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your four parliamentary questions about economic activity and economic inactivity. The replies to these four questions have been combined. I am replying in her absence. (151470, 151489, .151490, 151491)
	Table 1 gives estimates of the numbers of UK and foreign nationals of working age and the numbers and rates of economic activity for the three months ending December in each year for 1997, 1999 and 2001 to 2006. Comparable estimates are not available for 1998 and 2000. These estimates are not seasonally adjusted. The data shown are based on labour force survey (LFS) household population and not the total UK population to enable consistent economic activity data to be shown. It should be noted the LFS data shown by nationality:
	excludes those who have not been resident in the UK for six months
	excludes students in halls who do not have a UK resident parent
	excludes people in most other types of communal establishments (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites, etc.)
	is consistent with population estimates that only includes migrants staying for 12 months or more
	is consistent with population estimates published in spring 2003 which are significantly lower than the latest population estimates and also the headline labour market statistics published each month by the Office for National Statistics; LFS estimates by nationality for the period requested are not yet available consistent with latest population estimates.
	Table 2 gives estimates of the economically inactive people split by those who want a job and those who do not want a job. A further disaggregation for those who are long term sick or disabled is also shown. These data are for the three months ending December 2006, and are not seasonally adjusted.
	Estimates for economic inactivity for EU member states are available from the Eurostat website which is accessible via the House of Commons Library.
	The LFS estimates at the detailed level required for this answer are only available consistent with the UK population estimates published in February and March 2003 and do not yet incorporate the more recent population estimates that are used in the headline labour market series.
	Estimates are taken from the LFS. As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  All persons of working age( 1, 2)  and economic activity for UK and foreign nationals, United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			   All persons of working age ( 1, 2)  Economically active 
			   Total  Non-UK nationals  UK nationals  Non-UK nationals 
			  Three months ending December each year  Numbers (thousand)  Numbers (thousand)  % of total  Numbers (thousand)  Rates (%)( 3)  Numbers (thousand)  Rates (%)( 3) 
			 1997 35,209 1,604 4.6 26,504 78.9 1,082 67.5 
			 1999 35,473 1,659 4.7 26,881 79.5 1,107 66.7 
			 2001 35,897 1,929 5.4 26,896 79.2 1,300 67.4 
			 2002 36,068 2,066 5.7 27,015 79.5 1,414 68.5 
			 2003 36,213 2,130 5.9 26,968 79.1 1,460 68.5 
			 2004 36,364 2,332 6.4 26,955 79.2 1,646 70.6 
			 2005 36,510 2,451 6.7 26,908 79.0 1,767 72.1 
			 2006 36,652 2,757 7.5 26,862 79.2 2,052 74.4 
			 (1) LFS microdata for working age household population that excludes communal establishments, is consistent with population estimates first published in spring 2003. (2) Men aged 16 to 64 and women age 16 to 59. (3) Economically active people of working age as a percentage of all persons.  Notes: 1 Comparable data are not available for 1998 and 2000. 2 It should also be noted that the nationality question in the LFS is an undercount because: - it excludes those who have not been resident in the UK for six months. - it excludes students in halls who do not have a UK resident parent. - it excludes people in most other types of communal establishments (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites, etc). - it is grossed to population estimates that only include migrants staying for 12 months or more. - microdata is only grossed to population estimates consistent with those published in spring 2003 which are significantly lower than the latest population estimates.  Source:  ONS Labour Force Survey (LFS) 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Economically inactive people of working age 1, 2 want a job, and do not want a job, United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousand 
			   All persons  Wants a job  Does not want a job 
			 All inactive 7,739 2,025 5,714 
			  of whom:
			 Long-term sick or disabled 2,048 601 1,447 
			 (1) LFS microdata for working age household population that excludes communal establishments, is consistent with population estimates first published in spring 2003. (2) Men aged 16 to 64 and women aged 16 to 59.  Source: ONS Labour Force Survey (LFS)

Unemployment: Young People

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people aged 24 years or under were considered to be economically inactive in  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 24 July 2007:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people aged 24 years or under were considered to be economically inactive in (a) Eastbourne and (b) East Sussex in each of the last 10 years. I am replying in her absence. (151434)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of inactivity from the annual local area Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation definitions.
	The attached table shows the number of economically inactive persons, aged 16 to 24, resident in the Eastbourne constituency and the county of East Sussex, from the annual local area LFS, for the 12-month periods ending in February from 1997 to 2004 and from the APS for the 12-month periods ending in March 2005 and March 2006.
	As these estimates are for a subset of the population in a small geographical area, they are based on very small sample sizes, and are therefore subject to large margins of uncertainty. In this case, the sample sizes are not sufficient to give an accurate estimate of even the direction of the change over time.
	
		
			  Economic inactivity of 16 to 24 year olds in Eastbourne parliamentary constituency and the county of East Sussex 
			  Thousand 
			   Economically inactive 16 to 24 year olds 
			  12 months ending  Eastbourne  East Sussex 
			 February 1997 3 11 
			 February 1998 2 9 
			 February 1999 2 6 
			 February 2000 (1)— 8 
			 February 2001 2 11 
			 February 2002 1 10 
			 February 2003 3 11 
			 February 2004 2 8 
			 March 2005 2 10 
			 March 2006 3 10 
			 (1) Sample size are too small to provide estimates.  Notes: 1. Data are subject to sampling variability. 2. Changes in the estimates over time should be treated with caution.  Source: Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey.

Valuation Office Agency

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings the Valuation Office Agency has had with the Australian Valuation Office in the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: There is no central record of meetings held between the Valuation Office Agency and the Australian Valuation Office and the information could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

Valuation Office Agency

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which divisions of the Valuation Office Agency the secondees from the  (a) Australian Valuation Office and  (b) Hong Kong Valuation Office were working within.

Jane Kennedy: The secondees worked in the Valuation Office Agency's Chief Executive's Office (Non-Domestic Rating Section) and the London City Group and London District Valuer Service, respectively.

Valuation Office Agency

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 15 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1424W, on the Valuation Office Agency, if he will place in the Library a copy of the review.

Jane Kennedy: Office of Government Commerce (OGC) Gateway Reviews are conducted on a confidential basis for Senior Responsible Owners (SROs) of projects and programmes across government. To place this report in the public domain would put at risk an important process that has recorded £2.5 billion of value for money through avoided costs in central civil government since 2003.

Valuation Office Agency

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answers to the hon. Member for Meriden of 26 January 2007,  Official Report, column 2134W, and 15 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1422W, on the Valuation Office Agency, how many flights and to which destinations were made in 2006-07; and what estimate he has made of how much carbon dioxide each contributed to the 83 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Jane Kennedy: The Valuation Office Agency paid for 412 flights in the financial year 2006-07. Data are not held on how much each flight contributed to the 83 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Valuation Office Agency

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 15 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1424W to the hon. Member for Meriden, on the Valuation Office Agency, which organisation conducted the review.

Jane Kennedy: The review was conducted by the Office of Government Commerce.

Valuation Office Agency

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answers to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 26 January 2007,  Official Report, column 2134W, and 18 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1500W, on the Valuation Office Agency, what conferences were attended during the visit to Japan.

Jane Kennedy: None.

Valuation Office Agency: HM Revenue and Customs

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what access the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has to data held by HM Revenue and Customs to assist the VOA in its statutory functions.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 14 February 2006,  Official Report, column 1851W.

Valuation Office Agency: Hong Kong

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 20 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1888W, on the Valuation Office Agency: Hong Kong, whether the Agency provided valuation advice on  (a) domestic valuations and  (b) business valuations.

Jane Kennedy: The valuation advice related to land for commercial development. No valuation advice was given relating to domestic property.

Valuation Office Agency: Optical Equipment

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many telescopic viewers the Valuation Office Agency has purchased in the last 36 months; and at what cost.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) on 20 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1877W. The Valuation Office Agency has not purchased any telescopic viewers in the last 36 months.

Valuation Office Agency: Optical Equipment

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what use the Valuation Office Agency is making of Ordnance Survey's pictometry oblique imagery.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) on 24 January 2007,  Official Report, column 1901W.

Valuation Office Agency: Digital Versatile Disks

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which DVDs have been produced by the Valuation Office Agency in the last 36 months; how many copies of such DVDs were produced; and what the cost was to the public purse of development, production and distribution.

Jane Kennedy: The VGA has produced no DVDs over the last 36 months.

Valuation Office Agency: Expenditure

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what expenditure the Valuation Office Agency has undertaken on  (a) its import system and  (b) infrastructure electronic billing authority reports since January 2005.

Jane Kennedy: The expenditure undertaken in providing and implementing the Electronic Billing Authority Reports application in the period January 2005 to 31 March 2007 was £1,478,352 (excluding VAT). The annual service charges in respect of the application are £31,929 (excluding VAT).

Valuation Office Agency: ICT

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many local authorities submit information to the Valuation Office Agency via electronic billing authority reports.

Jane Kennedy: The latest figures are that 160 local authorities have submitted information to the Valuation Office Agency via Electronic Billing Authority Reports.

Valuation Office Agency: Training

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) of 25 June 2007,  Official Report, column 400W, on Valuation Office: training, from which company the media training was commissioned; and what the functions were of the staff who were trained.

Jane Kennedy: Media training was provided by the Government News Network. The staff trained were senior management whose function is to manage Valuation Offices.

Valuation Office Agency: Visits Abroad

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 25 June 2007,  Official Report, column 400W to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar, on Valuation Office: visits abroad, how many staff visited each country; and at what cost;
	(2)  what the purpose was of each visit to  (a) Australia,  (b) Canada,  (c) New Zealand,  (d) the USA and  (e) Lithuania.

Jane Kennedy: One member of staff attended conferences in Canada, New Zealand, USA and Australia. All costs were met by the conference organisers or by staff members. Four members of staff attended a conference in Lithuania. The total cost to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) was £2,000. The Agency has also seconded staff to Australia. The cost to the VOA from 1 January 2007 was £8,481.

Valuation Office Agency: Non-domestic Rates

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Valuation Office Agency plans to collate value significant codes for the purposes of valuations of non-domestic dwelling for business rates.

Jane Kennedy: The Valuation Office Agency has no plans to collate Value Significant Codes for the purposes of valuations of properties for non-domestic rates.

Welfare Tax Credits

David Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) couples and  (b) couples with household incomes of over £50,000 are claiming tax credits, broken down by region.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Table 1: average number of families benefiting from tax credit awards in each country and each government office region of England, 2005-06 (couples only) 
			Income used to taper in-work awards 
			   All families  Over £50,000 
			 United Kingdom 3,643 139 
			 England 3,024 117 
			 North East 172 5 
			 North West 439 15 
			 Yorks and The Humber 344 10 
			 East Midlands 290 10 
			 West Midlands 360 11 
			 East 333 15 
			 London 321 14 
			 South East 445 24 
			 South West 320 11 
			 Wales 196 5 
			 Scotland 294 13 
			 Northern Ireland 115 4 
			 Foreign and not known 13 0

WORK AND PENSIONS

Antisocial Behaviour: Housing Benefit

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the timetable is for pilot schemes in respect of the withdrawal of housing benefit as a sanction against households evicted for antisocial behaviour and who refuse to engage in a rehabilitation programme.

James Plaskitt: We will pilot the scheme in eight local authorities, starting 1 November 2007, for a period of two years.

Child Support Agency: Fees and Charges

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons the Child Support Agency ceased its policy of charging a fee for use of its services in 1995; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 24 July 2007:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons the Child Support Agency ceased its policy of charging a fee for use of its services in 1995; and if he will make a statement.
	The Child Support Agency ceased to charge fees for its services in 1995. The Child Support Fees Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/3094) which covered the amount and circumstances in which fees could be charged were subsequently revoked in 1996.
	As the 1998 Green Paper 'Children First' explained, the decision to firstly cease applying these regulations and to later revoke them was based on concerns about the unacceptable levels of service the Agency was providing. The regulation making power within the Act was retained to allow for the reintroduction of fees once the Agency could provide a level of service that would warrant it.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Children: Maintenance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what amount of Child Support Agency arrears has been collected directly from non-resident parents' assets in each year since 1996-97; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what amount of Child Support Agency arrears has been collected directly from non-resident parents' assets in each year since 1996-97; and if he will make a statement.
	When enforcing the collection of child support arrears, all appropriate means of civil debt recovery proceedings will be considered to ensure effective, timely and efficient recovery of outstanding debt.
	The attached table outlines what payments have been received directly by non-resident parents' assets in England & Wales and Scotland.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.
	
		
			  Payments received directly by non-resident parents' assets in England and Wales and Scotland 
			  £ 
			  Payments received by process  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			  England and Wales
			 Bailiff 2,966,000 5,249,000 6,987,000 
			 Order for recovery 90,000 120,000 101,000 
			 Charging order/order for sale 1,027,000 1,493,000 2,357,000 
			 Third party debt order 430,000 508,000 588,000 
			 
			  Scotland
			 Attachment and exceptional attachment 26,000 54,000 118,000 
			 Inhibition 72,000 306,000 242,000 
			 Arrestment 28,000 53,000 147,000 
			 Total 4,639,000 7,783,000 10,540,000 
			  Notes: 1. Due to the implementation of a new management information system in 2003 the information requested is available only from 2004-05. The table details the amounts recovered by the various enforcement tools available to the agency. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

Children: Maintenance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the capacity of the private and voluntary sectors to provide low cost and free advice to separating parents on child maintenance issues; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: From October 2008 we will have established an Information and Support Service where both parents can easily access free information and guidance in relation to child maintenance. To inform the design of this service we are actively engaging with voluntary sector organisations that have expertise in this area. The Department is also in the process of undertaking an assessment of the market capacity to deliver an information service from 2008 onwards. This assessment is necessary to inform our decision making regarding how the services can be most effectively delivered. We will not begin our procurement processes until this assessment is complete which we envisage will be late autumn 2007.

Counselling: Separation

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to introduce further advice and counselling services for separating couples with children.

James Plaskitt: The Information and Support Service is a critical element of our reform programme. We will provide a national service available to all separate and separating parents who need help to think through their options or establish maintenance arrangements. A key aspect of this will be a national contact centre with web-based support and a face-to-face service where appropriate.
	These services will provide high quality information products including a guide for parents and a standard maintenance agreement form and will signpost other relevant parenting services. We will pro-actively direct low income families towards this service with the support of Jobcentre Plus and HMRC.
	We also recognise that separating parents are not always clear about the issues they need to address and, likewise, the need to resolve wider separation issues first can act as a barrier to making maintenance arrangements. With this in mind, the Commission may also provide guides and links to key public and voluntary sector services and literature on non-maintenance related issues such as housing, benefits, debt and contact.
	In order to fully understand what services separated or separating parents require we will carry out additional research that will help us develop further our understanding of what information and support services will be needed in the future.

Departments: Agencies

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the Department paid in fees to recruitment agencies for  (a) temporary and  (b) permanent staff in each year since 1997.

Anne McGuire: The information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departments: Visits Abroad

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many overseas visits were made by  (a) officials and  (b) Ministers within his responsibility, and at what cost, in each year since 1997.

Anne McGuire: This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Since 1999, the Government have published on an annual basis a list of all overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500, as well as the total cost of all ministerial travel overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. Information for 2006-07 is currently being compiled and will be published before the summer recess. All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code and the Ministerial Code.

Disabled: Children

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps have been taken to promote inter-departmental working to help disabled children and their families following the former Prime Minister's overview, 'Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People', with particular reference to measures to help unemployed parents of disabled children who are seeking work; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: In January 2005, the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit published their report, 'Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People'. The report set out the Government's vision and made recommendations relating to disabled children, young people making the transition to adulthood, employment and independent living.
	The Office for Disability Issues was established in December 2005 and is working across Government to improve outcomes for disabled people, including through a ministerial group and the board of management, both of which bring together a range of Departments to oversee delivery of the Government's strategy.
	The chapter of the Life Chances report which considered employment did not make any specific recommendations relating to parents with disabled children. However, proposals set out in the July 2007 Green Paper, 'In Work, Better Off' are intended to make better use of the new deal approach for people who claim benefit as unemployed and are actively seeking work but who face significant barriers to finding work, including caring responsibilities at home.
	More recently, the joint HMT/DfES children and young people's review, 'Aiming High for Disabled Children: Better Support for Families', published in May 2007, looked at how services can provide greater support for families with disabled children. The report's findings are feeding into the comprehensive spending review and will be implemented through a cross-Government framework.

Employment Schemes

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many job applicants have undertaken a 15 day work trial since the inception of the trial programme; and how many of these have resulted in the applicant taking the position.

James Plaskitt: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide my hon. Friend with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 24 July 2007:
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your question about the number of job applicants undertaking a work trial and the number of these resulting in the applicant taking the position since the inception of the work trial programme. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Work trials were first introduced in 1989, since when they have formed part of an overall and constantly evolving package of measures to assist employers meet their recruitment needs. Until 2000 we did not routinely capture detailed management information on work trials. Since then, we have recorded information on the number of customers undertaking a work trial, but not the number of people confirmed permanently in the job. Our success in helping people into work is measured in terms of the number of people who leave benefit and move into work, but this is not broken down specifically to identify those securing a job through the help of a work trial.
	The table below shows the number of work trial starts since April 2000.
	
		
			  April to March each year:  Work trial starts 
			 2000-01 6,580 
			 2001-02 4,390 
			 2002-03 3,340 
			 2003-04 2,240 
			 2004-05 1,700 
			 2005-06 2,040 
			 2006-07 3,640 
		
	
	Although we do not keep data on the number of people confirmed in post following a work trial, internal research suggests that up to 50% of those people who secured the job would not have done so without the help of a work trial.
	I hope this is helpful.

Financial Assistance Scheme: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many residents of Peterborough constituency have been in receipt of funds under the Financial Assistance Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: As at 13 July 2007, there are 24 residents of Peterborough constituency in receipt of assistance from the Financial Assistance Scheme.

Housing Benefit

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the introduction of the local housing allowance; and what assessment he has made of the impact of its introduction on residents in rural areas.

James Plaskitt: Local housing allowance (LHA) will be introduced nationally from 7 April 2008 and the preparation for its implementation is under way in all local authorities. It has been extensively evaluated in nine pathfinder areas and tested for operational readiness in a further nine. These local authorities were chosen to provide a range of different housing markets, geographical factors and labour markets.
	One of the pathfinders, Teignbridge, is largely a rural area. As in the other eight evaluated LHA pathfinder areas, the implementation and delivery in Teignbridge was considered successful and the impact of the local housing allowance is covered in the local housing allowance evaluation publications.

Incapacity Benefit

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of incapacity benefit claimants had been in receipt of incapacity benefit for five years or more in each year since 1997.

Anne McGuire: The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Incapacity benefit (IB)/severe disablement allowance (SDA) claimants with duration of five years or over; Great Britain 
			  As at November each year:  IB/SDA claimants with duration of five years or over  Percentage of IB/SDA claimants with duration of five years or over 
			 2000 1,233,030 44.6 
			 2001 1,311,790 47.1 
			 2002 1,392,350 49.4 
			 2003 1,433,850 50.8 
			 2004 1,468,620 52.2 
			 2005 1,489,980 54.1 
			 2006 1,500,380 55.3 
			  Notes: 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Some additional disclosure control has also been applied. 2. 'Claimant' figures include credits only cases. 3. Figures for claimants with a duration of claim of five years or over are not available prior to 2000 as IB was not introduced until April 1995.  Source: DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data

Incapacity Benefit: Mentally Ill

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of people claiming incapacity benefit did so due to mental and behavioural disorders in each year since 1997.

Anne McGuire: The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Percentage of incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance (IB/SDA) claimants with a mental and behavioural disorder, Great Britain 
			  As at November:  Percentage 
			 1997 27.1 
			 1998 29.1 
			 1999 31.0 
			 2000 32.7 
			 2001 34.2 
			 2002 35.7 
			 2003 37.2 
			 2004 38.5 
			 2005 39.4 
			 2006 40.6 
			  Notes: 1. Caseload figures from 1999 onwards are rounded to the nearest 10. Some additional disclosure control has also been applied. 2. Caseload figures for 1997 and 1998 are rounded to the nearest 100. 3. Caseloads for 1997 and 1998 have been produced using 5 per cent. data and have been rated up in accordance with the Great Britain WPLS 100 per cent. IB/SDA totals. 4. 1997 and 1998 figures are from a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation. 5. From 6 April 2001, no new claims to SDA were accepted. 6. Figures include credits only cases.  Source: 1. DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study, 1999 onwards. 2. Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate, 5 per cent sample, 1997 and 1998.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have received jobseeker's allowance in the last 12 months.

James Plaskitt: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Jobseeker's allowance claimants, Great Britain June 2006 to May 2007 
			   Number 
			 June 2006 927,300 
			 July 2006 927,400 
			 August 2006 925,800 
			 September 2006 929,100 
			 October 2006 927,400 
			 November 2006 920,000 
			 December 2006 912,300 
			 January 2007 897,000 
			 February 2007 894,200 
			 March 2007 880,000 
			 April 2007 864,400 
			 May 2007 855,300 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 2. Figures are taken from the second Thursday of each month.  Source: Count of unemployment-benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems (including clerically held cases).

Jobseeker's Allowance

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of those claiming jobseeker's allowance in each year since 1997 had partners.

James Plaskitt: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Percentage of jobseeker's allowance claimants with partners( 1) , Great Britain 
			  As at November at year:  Percentage 
			 1997 14.09 
			 1998 13.96 
			 1999 16.15 
			 2000 15.14 
			 2001 13.39 
			 2002 12.53 
			 2003 12.11 
			 2004 11.05 
			 2005 10.80 
			 2006 11.14 
			 (1) The figures for jobseeker's allowance with partners are based on cases where there is payment of additional benefit for a partner.  Notes: 1. There are a number of cases where partner status is unknown. 2. Figures for 1997 and 1998 are based on a five per cent sample, and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.  Source: Department of Work and Pensions, Information Directorate, 5 per cent. sample, 1997 and 1998, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study, 1999 onwards.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to the letter to his predecessor dated 29 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Muzzamal Hussain.

James Plaskitt: The Secretary of State replied on 16 July 2007.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will answer the letter to his predecessor of 31 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Stephen Chetwyn.

James Plaskitt: The Secretary of State replied on 19 July 2007.

National Insurance: Fraud

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff in his Department and its agencies work on national insurance number fraud.

James Plaskitt: We do not employ a specific number of staff to investigate national insurance number fraud. Benefit fraud investigators in the Department for Work and Pensions deal with allegations of benefit fraud relating to all aspects of benefits and services administered by this Department.

Pensions

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in  (a) Eastbourne,  (b) East Sussex,  (c) England and  (d) the UK are (i) eligible for and (ii) receive pension credits.

Mike O'Brien: Estimates of pension credit eligibility are not available below the level of Great Britain. Latest estimates of the number of pensioners eligible for pension credit in Great Britain can be found in 'Pension Credit Estimates of Take-Up in 2005-06'. A copy of the report is available in the Library.
	The following table shows the number of households in Eastbourne, the local authorities that make up East Sussex, England and Great Britain receiving pension credit at February 2007.
	In Northern Ireland pension credit administration is a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
	
		
			  Region  Pension credit household recipients 
			  Eastbourne parliamentary constituency 5,410 
			   
			  East Sussex  
			 Eastbourne local authority 5,130 
			 Hastings local authority 5,060 
			 Lewes local authority 4,020 
			 Rother local authority 4,630 
			 Wealden local authority 5,330 
			   
			  England 2,283,630 
			   
			  Great Britain 2,729,490 
			  Notes: 1. The figures provided are early estimates. The preferred data source for figures supplied by DWP is the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS). However, the figures provided are the latest available figures, which are taken from the GMS scan at 2 March 2007. These are adjusted using the historical relationship between WPLS and GMS data to give an estimate of the final WPLS figure. 2. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 10. 3. Households are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household. 4. Parliamentary constituencies are based on the 2005 parliamentary boundaries. 5. Figures at county level are not available from the early estimates, so we have provided the local authority figures that make up East Sussex county.  Source: DWP 100 per cent. data from the Generalised Matching Service (GMS) pension credit scan taken as at 2nd March 2007.

Pensions

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the rates of basic state pension payable to  (a) single pensioners and  (b) couples were in (i) 1996-97 and (ii) 2006-07; and what the rates would have been in 2006-07 if they had been uprated in line with prices between 1996-97 and 2006-07.

Mike O'Brien: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			   Single  Couple 
			 1996-97 61.15 97.75 
			 2006-07 (actual) 84.25 134.75 
			 2006-07 (price uprated) 79.68 127.37 
			  Notes: 1. All figures in cash terms. 2. Uprating calculations employ historic RPI series. 3. There is no such thing as a 'singles rate' though the maximum rate of the Category A pension is commonly referred to as the 'singles rate'. Similarly the sum of the Category A and Category B(L) pension is often referred to as the 'couples rate'. 3. Category B(L) pension is about 60 per cent. of the full-rate basic Category A pension. It is payable by virtue of a spouse's qualifying years or earnings.

Pensions: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average value of state pensions, benefits and other payments was to  (a) single pensioners and  (b) pensioner couples in York in 1996-97 and each year since then.

Mike O'Brien: The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Pensions: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people  (a) in the City of York local authority area and  (b) City of York constituency receive (i) basic state pension and (ii) pension credit; and what the average weekly value of pension credit received is in each case.

Mike O'Brien: The answer is in the following tables.
	
		
			  Basic state pension recipients at September 2006 
			   Number 
			 York local authority 35,200 
			 City of York parliamentary constituency 17,900 
			  Notes: 1. Data is taken from 5 per cent. extract of the Pensions Strategy Computer System (PSCS), therefore figures are subject to a degree of sampling variation. They are also adjusted to be consistent with the overall caseload from the WPLS. 2. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.  Source: Five per cent sample, DWP Information Directorate 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of households receiving pension credit and the average weekly amount of pension credit payments at February 2007 
			   Pension credit household recipients  Average weekly amount 
			 York local authority 6,720 40.22 
			 City of York parliamentary constituency 4,440 41.07 
			  Notes: 1. The figures provided are early estimates. The preferred data source for figures supplied by DWP is the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS). However, the figures provided are the latest available figures, which are taken from the GMS scan at 2 March 2007. These are adjusted using the historical relationship between WPLS and GMS data to give an estimate of the final WPLS figure. 2. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 10. 3. Households are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household.  Source: DWP 100 per cent. data from the Generalised Matching Service (GMS) Pension Credit scan taken as at 2 March 2007.

Social Security Benefits

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what support his Department provides for people signed off incapacity benefit and awaiting jobseeker's allowance.

James Plaskitt: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide my hon. Friend with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 24 July 2007:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about support provided for people signed off Incapacity Benefit and awaiting Jobseeker's Allowance. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Payments to people who transfer between benefits, without a break, including from Incapacity Benefit to Jobseeker's Allowance, are not normally subject to delay, providing they meet all the conditions for benefit entitlement. If there are delays customers can request an interim payment, or apply for a crisis loan payment from the Social Fund.
	I hope this is helpful.

Social Security Benefits: EC Nationals

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many EU citizens in the UK claiming  (a) jobseeker's allowance and  (b) incapacity benefit have been in receipt of these benefits for more than (i) six months, (ii) 12 months and (iii) two years.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available.

Social Security Benefits: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in City of York constituency were in receipt of each benefit administered by his Department  (a) at the latest date for which figures are available and  (b) on the same date in each of the previous 10 years; and how much was spent in the constituency on each benefit in each year.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is not available at constituency level and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Unemployment

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the numbers of people both looking for work and available for work who are not claiming either unemployment or incapacity benefit.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is not available.
	However, the Office for National Statistics publishes an estimate of the number of people unemployed on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) definition— those who are not in employment but are actively seeking and available for work. This figure is derived from the Labour Force Survey, based on criteria set down by the ILO, and stood at 1.677 million in February to April 2007.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Adoption

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many children in each local authority in England were  (a) considered and  (b) successfully placed for adoption in (i) 2004-05 and (ii) 2005-06.
	(2)  how many children in the age groups corresponding most closely to the age group  (a) under 12 months,  (b) one to four years,  (c) five to nine years,  (d) 10 to 14 years and  (e) 15 to 18 years registered with Isle of Wight council were adopted in the last period for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: Information on the number of children in each local authority in England who were considered for adoption is not collected centrally by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
	Information on the number of children in each local authority in England who were placed for adoption in (i) 2004-05 and (ii) 2005-06 has been placed in the House Library. The data are also available in table 4 of the Statistical Volume on Children Looked After By Local Authorities Year Ending 31 March 2006 on my Department's website at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/VOL/v000721/TablesfinalRENAMED.xls
	The number of children looked after by the Isle of Wight local authority who were adopted in the year ending 31 March 2006, is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Children looked after who were adopted in the year ending 31 March 2006( 1,2,3) , England 
			  Number 
			Age at adoption 
			   All children  Under 1  1 to 4  5 to 9  10 to 15  16 and over 
			 Children adopted in England 3,700 190 2,300 940 180 20 
			 Children adopted in the Isle of Wight 10 * * * 0 0 
			 1. Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements. 2. Figures are derived from the SSDA903 return.  3. To maintain the confidentiality of each individual child, data at national level are rounded to the nearest 100 if they exceed 1,000 or to the nearest 10 otherwise. Data at local authority level are rounded to the nearest 5. Where the number was 5 or less (other than 0) this has been suppressed and replaced with an asterisk '*'.

Adoption: Standards

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children were adopted in each local authority in England in each of the last three years; and what the target increases in adoption rates were in each case.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested has been placed in the House Library.

Classroom Assistants

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how much has been allocated for the employment of teaching assistants in each year since 2000; and what funding has been allocated for each of the next three years;
	(2)  what average number of hours was worked per week by teaching assistants in  (a) each government region,  (b) each local education authority and  (c) England, in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The information requested is not collected centrally.
	The allocation of funds for the employment of teaching assistants is a matter for individual schools and local authorities.
	Research commissioned by the Department into the deployment and impact of support staff in schools has looked at a range of characteristics of support staff as well as their deployment and impact on pupils. The first wave of the study, conducted in 2004, estimated that teaching assistants work an average of 26 hours per week. The report of the first wave can be found at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR776.pdf. The report of the second wave of the study, which will contain an updated estimate of average hours from fieldwork completed in 2006, will be published on Thursday 26 July.

Classroom Assistants

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what formal training is required for a person to obtain a post as a classroom assistant specifically working with special educational needs pupils.

Jim Knight: The employment and deployment of support staff, together with any training required in order to take up a post, is a matter for schools or local authorities to determine as the employer.
	Support staffs, including teaching assistants, play an important role in schools, often working closely with pupils with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities. In recognition of this, the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA), which has responsibility for the training and development of the whole school workforce, has developed national occupational standards for teaching/classroom assistants. These contain elements relevant to working with pupils with SEN or particular educational needs. National Vocational Qualifications at level 2 and 3 are based on these standards.
	In addition, the TDA has also developed induction training materials for teaching assistants and introductory training materials for other support staff working in primary and secondary schools. Both sets of materials contain discrete modules covering inclusion, SEN and disabilities.
	The professional standards for higher level teaching assistants (HLTAs), for which the TDA is also responsible, require HLTAs to know how to support learners in accessing the curriculum, in accordance with the SEN code of practice.
	All schools can use their own budget to fund the training and development of their staff. They also receive a school development grant which they are able to use to support improvements in any aspect of teaching and learning. This can include sending teaching assistants on specialised training courses. Local authorities may retain a proportion of this grant, in certain circumstances, to provide specific training and development in relation to SEN and disabilities. The TDA also provides local authorities with grant funding to support candidates through the HTLA training and assessment process.

Classroom Assistants: Pay

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average salary is of a teaching assistant.

Jim Knight: The salaries for all support staff are for local determination and are set either by local authorities (in the case of community and voluntary controlled schools) or governing bodies (in the case of foundation and voluntary aided schools). Due to the many variations in local pay across the country it is not possible to give an average salary.

Departments: Contracts

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which of his Department's contracts have been rewritten since 27 June; and what estimate he has made of the resulting cost.

Edward Balls: The Department does not maintain a central record of all contracts that have been or are about to be awarded. Contracts which are in the process of being awarded will have the name of the contracting authority changed from the Department for Education and Skills to the relevant new departmental title at little cost.

Departments: Private Finance Initiative

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the annual value of private finance initiative projects within his responsibility was in each of the last five years, broken down by local education authority.

Jim Knight: Information on schools private finance initiative contracts, including balance sheet treatment and unitary charges, is included in HM Treasury's PFI Signed Projects List, which is available through:
	www.hmtreasury.gov.uk/documents/public_private_partnerships/ppp_pfi_stats.
	This is a working document containing information on current signed PFI projects. It is updated on a 6-monthly basis to reflect the updates HM Treasury receives from Departments at Budget and pre-Budget report.

Digital Versatile Disks

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department has spent on the Y Touring Group's DVD production, "Every Breath"; and how many DVDs are being produced.

Jim Knight: The Department is working with the Y Touring Group, through the Central Office of Information, to produce a DVD version of their "Every Breath" play to be used as a teaching resource in schools. A total budget of £61,000 has been allocated to this project. An initial production run of approximately 2,000 DVDs is planned. These will be made available to schools via the Online Publication System. The level of demand will be monitored and stock managed accordingly.

Education and Skills Bill

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether his Department will be the lead Department on the forthcoming Education and Skills Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Education and Skills Bill will be a joint bill between the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. The Bill will include provisions to raise to 18 the minimum age at which young people can leave education or training, and to implement recommendations of the recent Leitch review of skills. The Department will be the lead Department on the Bill, but I will be working closely with my ministerial colleagues in DIUS.

Family Courts: Counselling

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to encourage mediation in family disputes in  (a) publicly funded cases,  (b) privately funded cases and  (c) cases in which only one party is publicly funded; and whether his Department has set targets for mediation;
	(2)  what representations his Department and its predecessors have received from children's charities on mediation in family disputes; and if he will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government believe that mediation can offer considerable advantages over going to court in the settling of family disputes, especially where children are involved, irrespective of how cases are funded. To support and encourage mediation, we have established the Family Mediation Helpline and supporting website. The Helpline telephone number is 0845 60 26 627 and the website address is www.FamilyMediation Helpline.co.uk. We have sponsored a public awareness campaign; are facilitating judicial awareness seminars and supporting in-court referral schemes.
	Provisions of the Children and Adoption Act 2006 will enable the court to direct parties in child contact disputes to attend a meeting about mediation. Referrals will also be encouraged through changes to court forms, particularly in relation to disputes over children.
	The Legal Services Commission's revised Family Fee scheme will remove the financial disincentives for solicitors to make referrals to mediation. Under the scheme, it will be in the interests of the solicitor to make a referral to mediation and to do so at an earlier stage.
	The Ministry does not set targets for mediation because we do not think that a target in this area would be desirable. There are certain cases which are unsuitable for mediation because there is an imbalance of power between the parties. We do not wish to see such cases, which include those where one of the parties has been subject to domestic violence, forced into mediation. In addition, while we can advise parties about the benefits of mediation it would be a breach of the parties' human rights to prevent them having their case heard in court.
	Finally, neither this nor predecessor Departments have received any representations from children's charities regarding mediation in family disputes.

Health Education: Sex

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families at what pupil age schools begin teaching sex education in each local education authority.

Jim Knight: Certain aspects of sex and relationship education (SRE) are a statutory requirement as part of national curriculum science. This stipulates the issues that schools are required to cover at each of the four key stages. Beyond this, the Department's 'Sex and Relationship Education Guidance' outlines how schools can deliver a broader programme of SRE using the framework for Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). The guidance provides information on the issues to be covered in both primary and secondary schools, but it is for individual schools to determine their own SRE policy, including how SRE is delivered and when. The Department does not collect information on this.

Primary Education

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many primary schools in each local education authority have voluntarily introduced classes in foreign languages, music or art.

Jim Knight: The following table details the proportion of schools in each local authority who reported in autumn 2006 that they were teaching languages in class time. These data were obtained from recent research commissioned by the Department, which estimated the proportion of schools teaching languages in class time based on a nationally representative sample.
	Music and art and design are compulsory national curriculum subjects for all primary age pupils in maintained schools. All schools must teach the statutory programmes of study, but it is up to them to decide exactly how they deliver them. Schools may also provide extra-curricular activity in music and art, for example school choirs or art clubs that may be run after school, but no information is held centrally on the numbers of schools doing such activities.
	
		
			  Q1a: Do schools offer KS2 pupils the opportunity to learn a foreign language within class time? 
			  Percentage 
			   Yes  No  No response 
			 Camden 100.00 — — 
			 Greenwich 78.57 21.43 — 
			 Hackney 77.78 22.22 — 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 83.33 16.67 — 
			 Islington 100.00 — — 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 83.33 16.67 — 
			 Lambeth 81.25 18.75 — 
			 Lewisham 50.00 42.86 7.14 
			 Southwark 78.57 21.43 — 
			 Tower Hamlets 25.00 66.67 8.33 
			 Wandsworth 93.75 6.25 — 
			 Westminster 100.00 — — 
			 Barking and Dagenham 100.00 — — 
			 Barnet 66.67 33.33 — 
			 Bexley 100.00 — — 
			 Brent 71.43 28.57 — 
			 Bromley 86.67 13.33 — 
			 Croydon 63.16 36.84 — 
			 Ealing 72.22 16.67 11.11 
			 Enfield 86.67 6.67 6.67 
			 Haringey 71.43 28.57 — 
			 Harrow 100.00 — — 
			 Havering 86.67 6.67 6.67 
			 Hillingdon 76.92 23.08 — 
			 Hounslow 84.62 15.38 — 
			 Kingston on Thames 66.67 33.33 — 
			 Merton 91.67 8.33 — 
			 Newham 90.91 9.09 — 
			 Redbridge 57.14 42.86 — 
			 Richmond upon Thames 100.00 — — 
			 Sutton 90.91 9.09 — 
			 Waltham Forest 36.36 63.64 — 
			 Birmingham 59.18 36.73 4.08 
			 Coventry 88.89 11.11 — 
			 Dudley 75.00 25.00 — 
			 Sandwell 52.94 47.06 — 
			 Solihull 88.89 11.11 — 
			 Walsall 66.67 33.33 — 
			 Wolverhampton 54.55 45.45 — 
			 Knowsley 81.82 18.18 — 
			 Liverpool 91.67 5.56 2.78 
			 St. Helens 100.00 —  
			 Sefton 83.33 16.67 — 
			 Wirral 95.65 4.35 — 
			 Bolton 96.00 4.00 — 
			 Bury 94.44 5.56 —- 
			 Manchester 74.29 22.86 2.86 
			 Oldham 81.25 18.75 — 
			 Rochdale 80.00 20.00 — 
			 Salford 100.00 — — 
			 Stockport 87.50 12.50 — 
			 Tameside 90.48 9.52 — 
			 Trafford 100.00 — — 
			 Wigan 96.15 3.85 — 
			 Barnsley 47.06 41.18 11.76 
			 Doncaster 76.92 23.08 — 
			 Rotherham 100.00 — — 
			 Sheffield 96.55 3.45 — 
			 Bradford 86.84 13.16 — 
			 Calderdale 85.00 15.00 — 
			 Kirklees 80.00 15.00 5.00 
			 Leeds 79.37 19.05 1.59 
			 Wakefield 87.10 12.90 — 
			 Gateshead 100.00 — — 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 92.00 8.00 — 
			 North Tyneside 100.00 — — 
			 South Tyneside 100.00 — — 
			 Sunderland 60.00 33.33 6.67 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 93.33 — 6.67 
			 Bristol 71.43 28.57 — 
			 North Somerset 94.12 5.88 — 
			 South Gloucestershire 92.31 7.69 — 
			 Hartlepool 90.91 — 9.09 
			 Middlesbrough 83.33 16.67 — 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 100.00 — — 
			 Stockton on Tees 76.47 23.53 — 
			 Hull 83.33 16.67 — 
			 East Riding of Yorks 97.22 2.78 — 
			 North East Lincolnshire 78.57 14.29 7.14 
			 North Lincolnshire 100.00 — — 
			 North Yorkshire 86.11 12.50 1.39 
			 City of York 91.67 8.33 — 
			 Bedfordshire 72.50 22.50 5.00 
			 Luton 76.92 23.08 — 
			 Buckinghamshire 95.24 4.76 — 
			 Milton Keynes 100.00 — — 
			 Derbyshire 94.81 2.60 2.60 
			 City of Derby 88.89 11.11 — 
			 Dorset 54.05 35.14 10.81 
			 Poole 100.00 — — 
			 Bournemouth 100.00 — — 
			 Durham 79.69 17.19 3.13 
			 Darlington 100.00 — — 
			 East Sussex 75.76 24.24 — 
			 Brighton and Hove 83.33 16.67 — 
			 Hampshire 74.19 22.58 3.23 
			 Portsmouth 16.67 83.33 — 
			 Southampton 20.00 80.00 — 
			 Leicestershire 91.04 8.96 — 
			 Leicester 72.73 27.27 — 
			 Rutland 100.00 — — 
			 Staffordshire 78.13 17.19 4.69 
			 Stoke on Trent 50.00 42.86 7.14 
			 Wiltshire 90.57 9.43 — 
			 Swindon 90.91 9.09 — 
			 Bracknell Forest 66.67 33.33 — 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 75.00 25.00 — 
			 West Berkshire 92.86 7.14 — 
			 Reading 100.00 — — 
			 Slough 80.00 20.00 — 
			 Wokingham 75.00 25.00 — 
			 Cambridgeshire 69.77 27.91 2.33 
			 Peterborough City 80.00 20.00 — 
			 Cheshire 77.97 20.34 1.69 
			 Halton 100.00 — — 
			 Warrington 95.83 4.17 — 
			 Devon 85.71 12.70 1.59 
			 Plymouth 91.30 8.70 — 
			 Torbay 88.89 11.11 — 
			 Essex 69.66 23.60 6.74 
			 Southend 100.00 — — 
			 Thurrock 71.43 28.57 — 
			 Herefordshire 95.24 4.76 — 
			 Worcestershire 77.50 20.00 2.50 
			 Kent 91.51 7.55 0.94 
			 Medway 81.25 18.75 — 
			 Lancashire 77.19 21.05 1.75 
			 Blackburn 55.56 44.44 — 
			 Blackpool 100.00 — — 
			 Nottinghamshire 83.93 16.07 — 
			 Nottingham City 50.00 25.00 25.00 
			 Shropshire 81.08 18.92 — 
			 Telford and Wrekin 81.82 18.18 — 
			 Cornwall 76.27 23.73 — 
			 Cumbria 94.83 5.17 — 
			 Gloucestershire 94.44 5.56 — 
			 Hertfordshire 68.67 25.30 6.02 
			 Isle of Wight 92.31 7.69 — 
			 Lincolnshire 67.74 27.42 4.84 
			 Norfolk 71.21 27.27 1.52 
			 Northamptonshire 86.89 13.11 — 
			 Northumberland 87.50 12.50 — 
			 Oxfordshire 87.14 11.43 1.43 
			 Somerset 80.77 15.38 3.85 
			 Suffolk 69.14 28.40 2.47 
			 Surrey 84.00 14.00 2.00 
			 Warwickshire 77.14 20.00 2.86 
			 West Sussex 84.44 15.56 — 
			 Total 81.38 16.83 1.80

Primary Education

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government have taken to promote the teaching of foreign languages, music or art at primary school level.

Jim Knight: One of the three overarching objectives in the National Languages Strategy, published in 2002, was an entitlement that by 2010 all 7 to 11-year-old pupils will be able to learn a language at least in part in class time. Already some 70 per cent. of schools are providing primary languages within class time, so are making excellent progress towards this goal. We have backed this by action on a range of fronts including: training over 2,000 primary teachers with a languages specialism and aiming to train 6,000 by 2010; committing £49 million over 2006-07 and 2007-08 to support the introduction of primary languages; developing new schemes of work for French, German and Spanish; and setting up the Primary Languages Training Zone, an interactive website for teachers, school leaders and trainers involved in the delivery of primary languages.
	In October 2006, we commissioned a languages review, which was chaired by Lord Dearing and which reported in March 2007. We have accepted Lord Dearing's recommendation that languages should become a compulsory part of the primary curriculum when it is next reviewed. This will mean that all pupils will learn languages for seven years. We hope that learning languages earlier will inspire children with a love of languages and motivate them to continue learning languages post-14.
	Music and Art and Design are compulsory National Curriculum subjects for all five to 14-year-olds. To begin to realise our aim that every primary pupil who wants to should have an opportunity to learn a musical instrument the Government have invested £30 million in primary instrumental and vocal tuition over the last two years. We are putting a further £10 million this year into a national singing programme aiming to make singing an integral part of every child's school day. The Government are investing £36.5 million this year in the creative partnerships programme which promotes schools working with creative artists.

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the average capital cost per pupil of  (a) an academy and  (b) a local education authority controlled state secondary school; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The average capital cost per pupil of an academy is £20,400. This figure has been calculated by reference to the actual or estimated capital cost of establishing the first 91 academies in relation to their pupil capacity.
	Comparable figures for maintained secondary schools constructed in recent years are unavailable centrally. But a typical cost per pupil for construction of a 1,000-pupil maintained secondary would be in the range of £18,750 to £22,900 per pupil, excluding site acquisition costs.
	There are considerable variations in building costs according to region and the nature of sites.

Reading: Teaching Methods

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools in each local education authority taught synthetic phonics in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: Phonics has been part of the national curriculum since it was introduced in 1998. However, we do not hold information on the number of schools teaching synthetic phonics.

Schools

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools in each local education authority have  (a) expanded their capacity in each of the last 10 years and  (b) are in the process of expanding their capacity.

Jim Knight: The information requested has been placed in the House Library.

Schools: Chelmsford

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 16 July 2007,  Official Report, column 119W, on schools: Chelmsford, for what reasons he did not provide the requested figures for the Chelmsford borough council area; and if he will do so.

Jim Knight: Figures were requested for Chelmsford local authority area and because Chelmsford is not a local education authority area the reply provided information for Essex local authority area. I apologise that this was not made clear. Figures for Chelmsford district council are provided in the following table:
	
		
			  All schools: number (headcount) of pupils( 1) , as at January 2007 (provisional) ,  Chelmsford district council area 
			   Headcount of pupils 
			 Maintained Nursery 291 
			 Maintained Primary 12,351 
			 Maintained Secondary 13,131 
			 Maintained Special 450 
			 Non-Maintained Special (2)— 
			 Pupil Referral Units (2)— 
			 Independent Schools 1,954 
			 City Technology Colleges and Academies (2)— 
			 (1) Excludes dually registered pupils. (2) Not applicable, no schools of this type  Source: School Census

Schools: Closures

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools closed in each of the last 10 years; and what the case for closure was in each case.

Jim Knight: The following table sets out the number of maintained, mainstream schools which have closed following decisions taken under local decision making arrangements, which were introduced in September 1999, including the reasons for their closure.
	
		
			  Reason for Closure 
			   Cease to maintain  Change religious character  Due to amalg- amation  For an academy  For fresh start  To allow for a new estab- lishment  Total 
			 2000 13 — 96 — 8 — 117 
			 2001 26 4 194 1 3 3 231 
			 2002 33 9 181 3 1 1 228 
			 2003 38 10 173 8 5 1 235 
			 2004 53 6 192 6 7 — 264 
			 2005 39 8 211 7 7 — 272 
			 2006 41 4 222 17 3 1 288 
			 2007 4 — 12 1 1 — 18 
			 Total 247 41 1,281 43 35 6 1,653 
		
	
	Information held on proposals that were decided under the arrangements that operated prior to September 1999 is not reliable and has therefore been excluded. The figures for the early years of this table will therefore exclude closures that were decided before September 1999.

Schools: Construction

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many new  (a) primary schools,  (b) secondary schools and  (c) academies were built in each of the last five years (i) with and (ii) without sprinklers.

Jim Knight: The Department for Children, Schools and Families does not hold this information.

Schools: Fire Extinguishers

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance is given by his Department on the fitting of sprinklers in schools.

Jim Knight: The Department for Children, Schools and Families has advised all local authorities and fire brigades that we expect new schools to be fitted with sprinkler systems in future. However, the decision as to whether or not to install sprinkler systems will be based on a risk analysis and there may be a few cases where new schools are at a low risk of fire and where sprinklers would not represent good value for money. The risk analysis and cost benefit analysis tools we have recently published to help clients decide whether or not to install sprinkler systems in schools can also be used to determine whether or not an existing school should have sprinklers fitted, as part of a refurbishment project.
	In the autumn we will be publishing a standard specification for sprinkler systems in schools in our Standard Specifications Layouts and Designs series of guidance documents. Also, in August, we will be publishing the new Building Bulletin 100 Designing and Managing against the Risk of Fire in Schools which will be the normal means of compliance with Building Regulations Part B. This will include comprehensive guidance on when to install sprinkler systems in schools.

Schools: Fires

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many fires there were in schools in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: The latest figures we have are from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) for England and Wales and cover 2000-04, with provisional figures for 2005.
	
		
			   Number of fires  Total costs (£ million)  Arson (Percentage) 
			 2000 1,275 45 63 
			 2001 1,529 67 58 
			 2002 1,332 67 55 
			 2003 1,313 61 60 
			 2004 1,291 52 56 
			 2005(2) 1,166 (1)— 45 
			 (1) Not available (2) Provisional 
		
	
	The costs are rounded to the nearest £1 million and are derived from the (then) ODPM's cost of Fire Estimates, published last year. They cover property damage and the costs of the fire and rescue services attending the fires.

Schools: First Aid

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what steps the Government are taking to encourage the teaching of first aid to students and members of school staff;
	(2)  how many  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in each local education authority area taught first aid to their students in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: The Department does not collect information on when schools cover first aid teaching with pupils.
	The Department's Safety Education: Guidance for schools DFS/0161/2002 provides information on how the framework for personal, social and health education (PSHE) can address the issue of accidental injury in children and young people. The framework includes teaching young people at primary school level about school rules relating to health and safety issues, and at secondary school level to develop skills to cope with emergencies, including first aid and resuscitation techniques. Beyond this, the guidance also highlights how other parts of the national curriculum can be used to develop children's ability to recognise hazards and respond appropriately to risky situations.
	The Department encourages schools to develop strategies that are effective at a local level in raising the profile of safety education and dealing with medical emergencies, working with suitable partners where appropriate to do so. We are aware of the valuable support that organisations such as the British Red Cross offer individual schools or groups of schools at a local level to enrich curriculum work in this area.
	Advice on first aid training for school staff is included in the Department's Guidance on First Aid for Schools by means of which we encourage first aid provision for schools and their pupils.

Schools: Private Finance Initiative

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many private finance initiative funded schools closed prematurely in each of the last five years; and what the cost was to the public purse of  (a) establishing and  (b) closing those schools.

Jim Knight: The Department is only aware of one public finance funded school which has closed prematurely in the last five years. (College of Media, Arts and Technology in Brighton and Hove). All detailed cost information for establishing and closing this school is held at the local authority level.

Schools: Private Finance Initiative

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools have been funded via the private finance initiative in the last five years, broken down by local education authority area.

Jim Knight: Since April 2001, 457 schools have been funded via the private finance initiative. The following table gives a breakdown by local authority area.
	
		
			  LEA name  Project name  Number schools 
			 Barking and Dagenham Barking and Dagenham—Two Schools 2 
			 Barnsley Barnsley—Thirteen schools 13 
			 Bedfordshire Mid-Bedfordshire Schools Upper Schools Project 2 
			 Bexley Bexley—Three Schools 3 
			 Birmingham Birmingham 2—Twelve Schools 12 
			 Bolton Bolton—Castle Hill School 1 
			 Bradford BSF Pathfinder/Wave 1 3 
			 Brighton and Hove Brighton and Hove—four schools 4 
			 Bristol Bristol—Grouped Schools Project (Phase 1A) 4 
			 Bristol BSF Pathfinder/Wave 1 4 
			 Calderdale Calderdale—Grouped Schools Project 5 
			 Camden Camden—Haverstock School 1 
			 Cheshire Cheshire—Ellesmere Port and Neston Schools 6 
			 Cornwall Cornwall 2—Truro schools 17 
			 Coventry Coventry—Caludon Castle School 1 
			 Croydon Croydon—Ashburton School 1 
			 Darlington Darlington—Five Schools Project 4 
			 Derby Derby—Grouped Schools 5 
			 Derbyshire Derbyshire 1—Grouped Schools PFI Project 2 
			 Derbyshire Derbyshire 2—Long Eaton and Newbold Replacement Schools Project 2 
			 Devon Devon—Six Schools Project 6 
			 Doncaster Doncaster—Two schools 2 
			 Dudley Dudley 2—Paragon Project 2 
			 Ealing Ealing 1—Ealing Schools Project 4 
			 Eating Ealing 2—Three schools 3 
			 Enfield Enfield—Joint Schools Project 3 
			 Essex Essex 2—NDS—Tendring Schools 12 
			 Essex Essex 3—Clacton-on-Sea Education Project 3 
			 Gateshead Gateshead—Group of Schools 7 
			 Harrow Harrow—Special Schools PFI 3 
			 Havering Havering—Frances Bardsley School 1 
			 Herefordshire Herefordshire—Whitecross High School 1 
			 Kent Kent—Six schools (including Hugh Christie Technology College) 6 
			 Kent Kent—Swanscombe Schools 2 
			 Kirklees Kirklees 2—Special Schools Reorganisation 4 
			 Lambeth Lambeth—Lilian Baylis School and Resource Centre 1 
			 Lambeth Lambeth ICT—Connected Learning Project 1 
			 Lancashire BSF Wave 1 10 
			 Leeds BSF Wave 1 5 
			 Leeds Leeds 1—7 Schools 7 
			 Leeds Leeds 2—Ten Primary Schools 10 
			 Leeds Leeds 3 and 4—Secondary and Post 16 PFI Project 6 
			 Leicester City BSF Wave 1 6 
			 Lewisharn Lewisham—Grouped Schools Modernisation (PFI) Project 7 
			 Lincolnshire Lincolnshire—Seven Schools Project 7 
			 Liverpool Liverpool—Grouped Schools Project 18 
			 Liverpool Liverpool—Speke/Garston Lifelong Learning Centre 1 
			 Manchester Manchester 2—Wright Robinson Sports College 1 
			 Merton Merton—Age of Transfer 6 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne BSF Wave 1 3 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne Newcastle 1—Six schools 6 
			 Newham Newham—Joint Schools Project 1 
			 Norfolk Norfolk 2—Norwich Area Grouped Schools PFi Project 12 
			 North Tyneside North Tyneside—Four schools project 4 
			 Northamptonshire Northamptonshire 1—Wooldale Centre for Learning 1 
			 Northamptonshire Northamptonshire 2—Northampton Review 41 
			 Nottinghamshire Nottinghamshire 1—East Leake Schools 2 
			 Nottinghamshire Nottinghamshire 2—Bassetlaw Phases 1 and 2 8 
			 Oldham Oldham—Grouped Schools 2 
			 Peterborough Peterborough—Secondary Schools Scheme 3 
			 Plymouth Plymouth 1and 2-Whitleigh Community Campus and Replacement Primaries 9 
			 Redbridge Redbridge—Oaks Park School 1 
			 Redcar and Cleveland Redcar and Cleveland—Grouped schools 5 
			 Richmond upon Thames Richmond upon Thames—Primary Schools 6 
			 Rochdale Rochdale—Aiming High 4 
			 Rotherham Rotherham—Grouped Schools 15 
			 Salford Salford 1—Special Schools Project 3 
			 Salford Salford 2—High Schools PFI Project 3 
			 Sandwell Sandwell—Five Schools PFI Project 5 
			 Sheffield BSF Pathfinder/Wave 1 3 
			 Sheffield Sheffield Schools Phase 2 2 
			 Sheffield Sheffield Schools Phase 3 4 
			 Slough Slough—Three schools 3 
			 Solihull BSF Wave 1 3 
			 South Tyneside South Tyneside—Boldon High School 1 
			 Southampton Southampton—Three Secondary Schools 3 
			 Stockton-on-Tees Stockton on Tees—Community Campus at Ingleby Barwick 2 
			 Sunderland Sunderland—Sandhill View School 1 
			 Swindon Swindon—North Swindon Schools PFI 7 
			 Tameside Tameside—Hattersley Schools 3 
			 Telford and Wrekin Telford and Wrekin—Hadley Learning Community Incorporating Jigsaw 3 
			 Tower Hamlets Tower Hamlets—Grouped Schools 25 
			 Tower Hamlets Tower Hamlets—Mulberry School 1 
			 Walsall Walsall—St. Thomas More VA School 1 
			 Waltham Forest BSF Wave 1 2 
			 Waltham Forest Waltham Forest 2—Grouped Schools Project 8 
			 West Sussex West Sussex—Crawley schools scheme 3 
			 Worcestershire Worcestershire—Bromsgrove Schools 7 
			 York York—Four schools 4 
			 Total schools — 457 
		
	
	This is the most up-to-date information that the Department holds, but there may be more current information held at LA level.

Schools: Private Finance Initiative

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of all school building projects was financed through  (a) private finance initiative funding and  (b) capital funding in each of the last 10 years, broken down by local education authority.

Jim Knight: The Department holds information on central Government allocations to local education authorities each year for conventional capital funding, and for PFI credits, but not on all school building projects. Local authorities have considerable flexibility to decide how to use their investment, for instance on the number, size and type of project, and we collect only some information on how capital allocations are used.
	I am arranging for information on PFI and conventional funding allocations to authorities over the past 10 years to be placed in the House Library.

Schools: Private Finance Initiative

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many of the schools procured under private finance initiative since 1997 are now conventional capital projects using design and build contracts.

Jim Knight: The Department does not routinely collect this information. To the best of our knowledge none of the schools procured under PFI since 1997 are now conventional capital projects using Design and Build contracts.

Special Educational Needs

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many statements of special educational needs were issued in each year since 1994-95, broken down by local authority; and what proportion of children in each authority had statements in the latest year for which information is available.

Jim Knight: Information on statements of special educational needs from 2000 onwards by local authority as at January each year has been placed in the Library. Figures for earlier years are not readily available.

Young People: Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children and young people 
	(1)  were sent to a penal establishment for breaching their antisocial behaviour order in each of the last three years;
	(2)  received an antisocial behaviour order in each of the last three years.

Vernon Coaker: I have been asked to reply.
	The Home Office has the lead responsibility for antisocial behaviour policy.
	The number of persons aged 10-17 who received an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) in the last three years is as follows:
	625 in 2003,
	1,320 in 2004 and
	1,558 in 2005.
	The latest data available for breaches of ASBO and custody are for 2003. The figures show that 30 young people in total between 2000 and 2003 were sentenced to custody for breach of ASBO alone—in all other cases, they were convicted for other offences at the same time.

INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Adult Education: Learning Disability

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps he plans to take to ensure that adults with a learning disability have access to learning opportunities to acquire and maintain life skills including literacy and numeracy.

David Lammy: Adult learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LLDD) remain an important priority for the Government, as set out in the Learning and Skills Council's "Annual Statement of Priorities and in Progression through Partnership" the Government's strategy for improving outcomes for LLDD learners, which was published in June 2007.
	In 2004/05, expenditure on LLDD provision rose by 15 per cent. from the previous year to £1.5 billion. Funding per learner is expected to continue to rise.
	LLDD learners are one of the priority groups targeted by the Skills for Life strategy, which offers free literacy and numeracy provision to adults.
	In response to the report, "Freedom to Learn", the Skills for Life Strategy Unit in the Department produced a range of materials to support the teaching and learning infrastructure for adults with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. These include tailored curriculum frameworks, guidance for teachers, assessment materials, teaching and learning materials, and a framework for understanding dyslexia. We have also tested the entire Skills for Life learning infrastructure to ensure it properly supports LLDD learners, and commissioned a training programme for staff in the sector.
	The Quality Improvement Agency is now working to further improve the quality of LLDD teaching and learning.

Apprentices: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many apprenticeship places there are for 16 and 17 year olds in  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex; and what plans he has for the provision of such places in the future.

David Lammy: (i) The following table shows the number of apprenticeship starts for 16 to 18-year-olds in  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex in 2005-06.
	
		
			   Eastbourne  East Sussex 
			 Apprenticeship starts for 16 to 18-year-olds 130 560 
			 Advanced apprenticeship starts for 16 to 18-year-olds 40 170 
			  Note: Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Work Based Learning (WBL) Individualised Learner Record (ILR) 
		
	
	(ii) We want to continue the expansion of apprenticeships so that by 2013 every suitably qualified young person will be able to take up a place on the programme.
	We are working with the LSC to promote apprenticeships to employers of all sizes and so increase their take-up. Many employers are already on board with 130,000 offering apprenticeships in England with over 180 apprenticeships available across more than 80 industry sectors.
	We have increased the completion rate to 59 per cent. and rising—up from only 24 per cent. five years ago. We plan to increase this further in the next three years to match that of other top competitors. The Government are working with the LSC and key partners to deliver provider incentives; foster provider collaboration; improve staff training; and develop with Sector Skills Councils guidance for individual sectors.
	Diplomas will also provide clear progression routes into apprenticeships and, indeed, contain apprenticeship components within their content where specified by the Diploma Development Partnerships.
	We are also building stronger links with higher education to ensure that apprentices who have the ambition and capacity to do so can enter higher education.

Apprentices: East Sussex

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many apprenticeship schemes are operating in the Poole area.

David Lammy: Figures for those participating in apprenticeships can be derived from the Learning and Skills Council's (LSC) Individualised Learner Record (ILR). There were 380 learners on apprenticeships and 180 on advanced apprenticeships in Poole parliamentary constituency (based on home postcode of the learner) in 2005-06.
	 Note
	Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	 Source
	Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Work Based Learning (WBL) Individualised Learner Record (ILR)

Apprentices: Gravesham

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many apprenticeship schemes are operating in the Gravesham area.

David Lammy: Figures for those participating in apprenticeships can be derived from the Learning and Skills Council's (LSC) Individualised Learner Record (ILR). There were 340 learners on apprenticeships and 190 on advanced apprenticeships in Gravesham parliamentary constituency (based on home post code of the learner) in 2005/06.
	 Note
	Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	 Source
	Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Work Based Learning (WBL) Individualised Learner Record (ILR)

Apprentices: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many apprenticeships there were in York in 2005-06.

David Lammy: Figures for those participating in apprenticeships can be derived from the Learning and Skills Council's (LSC) Individualised Learner Record (ILR). There were 640 learners on apprenticeships and 280 on advanced apprenticeships in City of York parliamentary constituency (based on home post code of the learner) in 2005/06.
	 Note:
	Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	 Source:
	Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Work Based Learning (WBL) Individualised Learner Record (ILR).

Degrees: Ethnic Groups

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many and what percentage of students from  (a) Asian Bangladeshi,  (b) Asian Chinese,  (c) Asian Indian,  (d) Asian Pakistani,  (e) other Asian,  (f) Black African,  (g) Black Caribbean,  (h) Other Black,  (i) White and  (j) other ethnic backgrounds received (i) a first class, (ii) an upper second, (iii) a lower second, (iv) a third class, (v) another pass and (vi) a fail in undergraduate honours degrees in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: The available information on students obtaining first degree qualifications is given in two tables which have been placed in the Libraries.
	A new ethnicity classification was introduced on the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record in 2001/02 which allowed those students of mixed ethnicity to be classified in more detail. Additionally for the earlier figures, students qualifying from dormant modes of study are excluded, whereas such students are included in the population count for 2001/02 onwards. As such, figures for 2000/01 and earlier are not strictly comparable with those for 2001/02 onwards.
	Information for 2006/07 will be available in January 2008.

Higher Education: Finance

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of universities with a  (a) financial deficit,  (b) diminishing budget surplus and  (c) risk of insolvency.

Bill Rammell: There are no universities at imminent risk of insolvency, although six institutions were judged by the Higher Education Funding Council for England to be "at higher risk" in March 2007 and are being supported by the council. Higher education institutions will also be able to draw on new funding streams we have introduced such as income from variable tuition fees and voluntary giving to strengthen their financial position, and the number of institutions with historical cost deficits is forecast to fall from 14 per cent. now to 5 per cent. in 2010.

Higher Education: Finance

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what discussions his Department and its predecessor have held with university representatives or vice-chancellors on raising university tuition fees.

Bill Rammell: Whenever this issue has been raised either by university representatives, vice-chancellors or student unions we have consistently said that before any changes could even be considered there will be an independent commission in 2009 which will examine the evidence from the first three years of the new fees regime, and which will report directly to Parliament. That remains the case. Draft terms of reference for the commission were published in January 2004. It would be premature to speculate now about what the commission might recommend or indeed whether Parliament would agree with any recommendations.

Higher Education: NHS

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how premises on which leases had been taken for the NHS University were disposed of.

Ann Keen: I have been asked to reply.
	The handover report produced by the chief executive of the national health service university (NHSU) on closure of the organisation states that the NHSU did not own land or buildings.
	All leases were terminated by October 2005 in accordance with the lease for each property.

Nanotechnology

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what Government-funded research and development support has been given to the development of UK nanotechnology companies.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Science and Innovation at DTI on 21 June concerning overall Government spend on nanotechnology. Estimated Government support for nanotechnology work over the last 10 years amounts to around £408 million.
	The Technology Strategy Board (an Executive NDPB of DIUS) invests to support nanotechnology companies through two initiatives:
	(i) A portfolio of 26 Nanotechnology Collaborative R and D projects is being supported, which brings together business and academia to undertake joint research that has a future commercial use. Funding of £14 million since 2004 (against £32 million total project costs) has been provided to consortia involving business and academia, with business providing just over half of the funding; and
	(ii) The network of 24 UK-based Nanotechnology Centres, with a total budget of £54 million over five years, provides open access facilities to enable companies (particularly SMEs) to use expensive pieces of equipment to test new ideas and prototypes.
	Additionally, EPSRC currently funds 167 research grants classified as having a significant nanotechnology component that have a formal collaboration with UK industry. These grants have a total value of £86 million.

Student Wastage

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the non-completion rate was of students who took  (a) A-levels,  (b) other academic level 3 qualifications and  (c) vocational level 3 qualifications in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: Projected non-completion rates are released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) each year within the Performance Indicators in Higher Education publication. The latest available non-completion projections are shown in table 1.
	
		
			  Table 1: Proportion of UK-domiciled entrants to full-time first degree courses in UK higher education institutions (HEIs) who are projected to neither obtain an award nor transfer to another institution 
			  Academic year  Percentage 
			 1999/2000 15.9 
			 2000/01 15.0 
			 2001/02 14.1 
			 2002/03 14.4 
			 2003/04 14.9 
			  Source:  "Performance Indicators in Higher Education", published by HESA 
		
	
	The 2004/05 figure will be released by HESA on 19 July 2007. These non-completion rates are not available broken down by entry qualification.
	Drop-out is more likely to occur during the first year of higher education. The performance indicators also include non-continuation rates, which show the proportion of entrants who are not detected in higher education after their first year. The latest available non-continuation rates are shown in table 2.
	
		
			  Table 2: Proportion of UK-domiciled young entrants to full-time first degree courses at UK HEIs not continuing in higher education after their first year 
			  Academic year  Percentage 
			 1999/2000 7.8 
			 2000/01 7.1 
			 2001/02 7.3 
			 2002/03 7.8 
			 2003/04 7.7 
			  Source:  "Performance Indicators in Higher Education", published by HESA 
		
	
	The 2004/05 figure will be released by HESA on 19 July 2007. The 2002/03 and 2003/04 non-continuation rates are available broken down by entry qualification, as shown in table 3.
	
		
			  Table 3: Percentage of UK-domiciled young entrants to full-time first degrees in UK HEIs in 2002/03 and 2003/04 not continuing in higher education after their first year 
			  Entry qualification categories/tariff points  Entrants 2002/03  Entrants 2003/04 
			  A-levels or highers:   
			 Unknown 11.3 12.6 
			 Up to 200 11.7 11.9 
			 201 to 290 7.9 8.1 
			 291 to 380 4.9 5.3 
			 Above 380 2.6 2.8 
			
			 Other qualifications 11.4 11.6 
			
			 All qualifications 7.8 7.7 
			  Source: Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)

Student Wastage: Age

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the non-completion rate was of students who entered higher education between the ages of  (a) 18 and 20,  (b) 21 and 25,  (c) 25 and 30 and  (d) 30 years and above in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: Projected non-completion rates are released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) each year within the Performance Indicators in Higher Education publication. The latest available non-completion projections are shown in table 1.
	
		
			  Table 1: Proportion of UK-domiciled entrants to full-time first degree courses in UK higher education institutions (HEIs) who are projected to neither obtain an award nor transfer to another institution 
			  Academic Year  Percentage 
			 1999-2000 15.9 
			 2000-01 15.0 
			 2001-02 14.1 
			 2002-03 14.4 
			 2003-04 14.9 
			 2004-05 14.2 
			  Source: "Performance Indicators in Higher Education", published by HESA. 
		
	
	These non-completion rates are not available broken down by age group.
	Drop-out is more likely to occur during the first year of higher education. The performance indicators also include non-continuation rates, which show the proportion of entrants who are not detected in higher education after their first year. The latest available non-continuation rates are shown in table 2.
	
		
			  Table 2: Proportion of UK-domiciled entrants to full-time first degree courses at UK HEIs not continuing in higher education after their first year 
			  Academic  y ear  1999/2000  2000/01  2001/02  2002/03  2003/04  2004/05 
			 Young (under 21) 7.8 7.1 7.3 7.8 7.7 7.2 
			 Mature (21 and over) 15.9 14.5 14.9 15.4 15.6 14.4 
			 All entrants 9.7 8.7 9.0 9.5 9.5 8.8 
			  Source:  "Performance Indicators in Higher Education", published by HESA. 
		
	
	A more detailed age breakdown is not available.

Student Wastage: Gender

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the non-completion rate of  (a) male and  (b) female students, broken down by number of UCAS tariff points on entry;
	(2)  what the non-completion rate was of  (a) female and  (b) male students who entered higher education between the ages of (i) 18 and 20, (ii) 21 and 25, (iii) 25 and 30 and (iv) 30 years and above in each of the last five years, broken down by ethnicity;
	(3)  what the non-completion rate was of  (a) female and  (b) male students in each of the last five years, broken down by ethnicity;
	(4)  what the non-completion rates were of  (a) UK domiciled,  (b) non-UK but EU domiciled and  (c) non-EU domiciled (i) males and (ii) females in each of the last 10 years.

Bill Rammell: Table 1 contains the latest available projected non-completion indicators for entrants to full-time first degree courses.
	
		
			  Table 1: Proportion of UK-domiciled entrants to full-time first degree courses at UK higher education institutions who are projected to neither obtain an award nor transfer to another institution 
			  Academic year  Percentage 
			 1999/2000 15.9 
			 2000/01 15.0 
			 2001/02 14.1 
			 2002/03 14.4 
			 2003/04 14.9 
			 2004/05 14.2 
			  Source:  "Performance Indicators in Higher Education", published by HESA 
		
	
	The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) publishes these projected non-completion indicators in its Performance Indicators in Higher Education publication each year. These indicators are not available broken down by gender or entry qualification.
	HESA also publishes non-continuation indicators, which show the proportion of entrants to full-time first degree courses not continuing in higher education after their first year. Table 2 contains the latest available non-continuation rates.
	
		
			  Table 2: Proportion of UK-domiciled entrants to full-time first degree courses at UK higher education institutions not continuing in higher education after their first year 
			  Academic year  Young (under 21)  Mature (21 and over)  All entrants 
			 1999/2000 7.8 15.9 9.7 
			 2000/01 7.1 14.5 8.7 
			 2001/02 7.3 14.9 9.0 
			 2002/03 7.8 15.4 9.5 
			 2003/04 7.7 15.6 9.5 
			 2004/05 7.2 14.4 8.8 
			  Source:  "Performance Indicators in Higher Education", published by HESA 
		
	
	A more detailed age breakdown is not available.
	Table 3 contains the available information for non-continuation indicators broken down by entry qualification.
	
		
			  Table 3: Proportion of UK-domiciled young entrants to full-time first degree courses at UK higher education institutions not continuing in higher education after their first year 2002/03 and 2003/04 
			  Entry qualification categories/tariff points  2002/03  2003/04 
			  A-levels or highers:   
			 Unknown 11.3 12.6 
			 Up to 200 11.7 11.9 
			 201 to 290 7.9 8.1 
			 291 to 380 4.9 5.3 
			 Above 380 2.6 2.8 
			
			 Other qualifications 11.4 11.6 
			
			 All qualifications 7.8 7.7 
			  Source: Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) 
		
	
	Table 4 contains the available information for non-continuation indicators broken down by gender.
	
		
			  Table 4: Proportion of UK-domiciled young entrants to full-time first degree courses at UK higher education institutions not continuing in higher education after their first year—2003/04 
			  Gender  Proportion 
			 Female 6.7 
			 Male 8.8 
			 Total 7.7 
			  Source: Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) 
		
	
	Figures for non-continuation indicators broken down by ethnicity are not available.
	Figures for non-completion and non-continuation indicators are available for UK-domiciled students only.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Angola: Democracy

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the attitude of the Government of Angola towards  (a) a free press,  (b) unbiased judiciary,  (c) freedom for opposition groups to operate without harassment and  (d) institutionalised corruption; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: In Angola there is an independent press and a few radio stations that are free to voice criticism of the Government. However, in the provinces the Government-run media largely dominates media coverage. There is only one independent nationwide broadcaster, Radio Vorgan (run by the main opposition party, União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA).
	The Government of Angola is taking measures to reform the judiciary and associated legislation, much of which pre-dates the civil war, which ended in 2002. Our embassy in Luanda has sponsored three projects in conjunction with the Bar Association of Angola to assist in the development of the judiciary. We welcome the Government's introduction of a new press law, which is currently in preparation and will provide more scope for independent reporting. Both the Constitutional Law and the Penal Code are also under review.
	There is complex legislation relating to the registration of political parties which is rigorously enforced. There are 12 opposition parties represented in Parliament. The UNITA congress is currently under way in Luanda and has received coverage in the independent and Government-run media. Representatives of other smaller political parties and members of the Diplomatic Corps have also attended the congress. We welcome the Government's announcement that legislative and presidential elections will be held in 2008 and 2009 respectively and continue to monitor the political landscape closely.
	The Government of Angola have taken several steps to improve transparency in public financial management. Internationally qualified auditors conduct rigorous cost and fiscal audits for all oil companies, including the national oil company, Sonangol. A new procurement law is being drafted. A Court of Auditors was created in 2001, which helps to review and audit public expenditure allocations and has handed down embezzlement sentences. However, much still needs to be done, not only on transparency of public financial management, but also on strengthening Government accountability to the people. We continue to encourage the Government of Angola to sign up to the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

Departments: Air Conditioning

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by his Department and its agencies on the hire of mobile air conditioning units in each of the last five years.

Jim Murphy: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has spent the following amounts on the hire of air conditioning units in the last five years:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2006-07 0 
			 2005-06 4,235.00 
			 2004-05 2,492.00 
			 2003-04 4,632.52 
			 2002-03 9,958.00 
		
	
	All sums aforementioned are net of VAT.
	The information provided is applicable to the FCO's UK estate only.

Departments: Flint Bishop

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have made payment to Flint Bishop Solicitors since 1997.

Jim Murphy: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not made any payments to Flint Bishop Solicitors in this period.

Departments: Legislation

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what legislative provisions introduced by his Department since 1997 have not yet been brought into force.

Jim Murphy: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been responsible for the introduction of 12 Acts of Parliament since 1997 of which the Nuclear Explosions (Prohibitions and Inspections) Act 1998 and the Arms Control and Disarmament (Inspections) Act 2003 have not yet been brought into force.

Departments: Legislation

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what legislative provisions introduced by his Department since 1997 have been repealed.

Jim Murphy: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been responsible for the introduction of 12 Acts of Parliament since 1997, none of which have been repealed.

Departments: Private Education

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on providing education in independent schools for the children of employees of his Department  (a) who are based in the UK and  (b) in total in the last year for which figures are available.

Meg Munn: It is a condition of employment that members of the Diplomatic Service must be prepared to serve anywhere in the world at any time during their career, sometimes at very short notice. Those with children also have a legal obligation as parents to ensure that their children receive full-time education from the age of five years. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) provisions for children's education are intended to help staff meet these potentially conflicting obligations.
	We expect children who accompany their parents on postings overseas to use free state schooling if it is available locally and suitable. If suitable English-language schooling is not available free of charge locally, but is available at fee-charging schools, we refund fees to enable children to receive the education they would be entitled to in the UK.
	With staff and their families having to move at regular intervals, sometimes at short notice and at times which may disrupt schooling for their children, and education facilities at posts overseas varying (or not being available at all), continuity of education can be problematic particularly during the important exam years. The FCO's continuity of education allowance addresses this problem by enabling children to board at schools in the UK as long as their parents remain subject to the world-wide mobility obligation and take up postings overseas.
	The amount we spent in the financial year 2006-07 on providing education in independent schools for children whose parents are temporarily based in the UK is £7.6 million. The total amount we have spent on continuity of education allowance for staff in the UK and overseas during the financial year 2006-07 is £13 million.

Departments: Visits Abroad

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many overseas visits were made by  (a) officials and  (b) Ministers within his responsibility, and at what cost, in each year since 1997.

Jim Murphy: This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Since 1999, the Government have published on an annual basis a list of all overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500, as well as the total cost of all ministerial travel overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. Information for 2006-07 is currently being compiled and will be published before the summer recess. All travel is undertaken in accordance with the "Civil Service Management Code", the "Ministerial Code" and "Travel by Ministers".

Entry Clearances: Health Professions

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many medical students from non-EEA countries applied for visas to complete training in the UK in each of the last five years; how many were accepted; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: Subject to satisfying the relevant paragraph of the immigration rules, overseas qualified medical personnel can enter the UK in either the postgraduate doctor, PLAB test (Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board Test), or clinical attachment categories. We do not distinguish between undergraduate and graduate students.
	Applications recorded in each category are:
	
		
			   Received  Issued  Refused 
			  2006
			 Clinical Attachment 873 111 72 
			 Nurses—Supervised Practice 1,136 695 393 
			 PLAB Test 758 698 83 
			 Post Graduate Dentist 7 7 1 
			 Post Graduate Doctor 638 589 51 
			 Post Graduate GP 4 2 2 
			 Student Nurse 1,305 840 600 
			 
			  2005
			 Clinical Attachment 304 284 13 
			 Nurses—Supervised Practice 4 0 0 
			 PLAB Test 581 502 41 
			 Post Graduate Dentist 20 17 0 
			 Post Graduate Doctor 1,423 1,352 44 
			 Post Graduate GP 1 1 0 
			 Student Nurse 5,128 3,554 1,518 
			 
			  2004
			 PLAB Test 1 0 1 
			 Post Graduate Dentist 11 10 0 
			 Post Graduate Doctor 1,079 1,058 12 
			 Student Nurse 7,468 5,444 1,904 
			 
			  2003
			 Post Graduate Dentist 12 12 0 
			 Post Graduate Doctor 989 970 6 
			 Student Nurse 4,614 3,977 605 
			 
			  2002
			 Post Graduate Dentist 23 20 0 
			 Post Graduate Doctor 847 848 2 
			 Student Nurse 1,583 1,410 169 
		
	
	Prior to 2005 data were not kept on all categories. These statistics have not been published and should be used for information purposes only.
	The total number of applications issued and refused may not equal the number of applications received due to applications being withdrawn or lapsed. Additionally, applications can be carried forward from one year to the next before being resolved, for example if they have been referred to the Home Office for a decision or deferred for further inquiries.

EU Reform: Treaties

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which areas he expects qualified majority voting to replace unanimity under the new European Constitutional Treaty.

Jim Murphy: The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe is now defunct. The mandate for a Reform Treaty agreed by the European Council states clearly:
	"The constitutional concept, which consisted in repealing all existing Treaties and replacing them by a single text called "Constitution", is abandoned."
	The Government expect the new Reform Treaty to contain extensions of Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) under 50 Articles. However, the number of extensions that will apply to the UK will be significantly less than 50. We expect 13 extensions will not apply to the UK. Nine of these relate to Justice and Home Affairs (where we have secured an extension of our existing opt-in mechanism). Three relate to the euro (where our opt-out applies). One relates to social security (where we will have an emergency brake including a veto power).
	 Existing areas of policy activity moved from unanimity to QMV
	1. Immigration and frontier controls (UK opt-in)
	2. Judicial co-operation in criminal matters (UK opt-in)
	3. Minimum rules for criminal offences and sanctions (UK opt-in)
	4. Eurojust (structure, operation, field of action and tasks) (UK opt-in)
	5. Police co-operation (data sharing and training) (UK opt-in)
	6. Europol (structure, operation, field of action and tasks) (UK opt-in)
	7. Social security (measures to facilitate free movement of workers) (emergency brake including a veto power)
	8. Co-ordination of provisions for self-employed persons (measures to facilitate self-employment in other member states)
	9. Transport (removes existing limited derogation)
	10. Culture (incentive measures to promote cultural awareness and diversity)
	 Existing institutional/procedural measures moved from unanimity to QMV
	11. Appointment of European Central Bank executive board (UK opt-out)
	12. Comitology (rules enabling member states to oversee the Commission's exercise of its implementing powers)
	13. Financial regulations (rules on budgetary and accounting procedures)
	14. Specialised courts (establishment of specialised first instance courts)
	15. European Court of Justice statute
	16. Amendments to certain parts of the statute of the European System of Central Banks
	17. Presidency of Council configurations (arrangements for rotation)
	 Existing areas of policy activity where there is a new specific legal base subject to QMV
	18. Use of the euro (UK opt-out)
	19. Measures relating to the broad economic guidelines and excessive deficit procedure (applicable only to eurozone members) (UK opt-out)
	20. Border checks (establishment of integrated management system for external borders) (UK opt-in)
	21. Mechanism for peer review of member states' implementation of policies in the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) area (UK opt-in)
	22. Crime prevention (UK opt-in)
	23. Implementation of own resources decisions
	24. Provisions enabling repeal of the aspects of an Article related to state aids policy and the effect of the past division of Germany
	25. Procedure for entry into the euro
	26. Provisions enabling repeal of an Article on transport policy as it affects areas of Germany affected by its past division
	27. Authorisation, co-ordination and supervision of intellectual property rights protection
	28. Services of general economic interest (clarification of EU rules/principles applying public services)
	29. Diplomatic and consular protection
	30. Humanitarian aid operations
	31. Energy (measures on energy markets, energy security and energy saving)
	32. Tourism (promotion of competitiveness and best practice)
	33. Civil protection (assistance to prevent or protect against natural or man-made disasters)
	34. Implementation of solidarity clause (assistance, if requested, in the event of a natural or man-made disaster)
	35. Urgent financing of Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) measures (start up measures for 'Petersberg' tasks)
	36. Urgent aid to third countries
	37. Aspects of the Common Commercial Policy (definition of general framework for its implementation)
	 New areas of EU policy activity subject to QMV
	38. European Research Area (removal of barriers to free flow of research)
	39. Space policy (measures to promote joint initiatives and research and development)
	40. Sport (incentive measures to promote sport)
	41. Administrative co-operation (capacity building measures)
	42. Membership of structured co-operation in defence (procedural issues relating to its establishment)
	 New institutional/procedural measures subject to QMV
	43. Election of European Council President
	44. Appointment of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
	45. Council review of general rules on composition of the Committee of the Regions and European Economic and Social Committee
	46. Citizens' initiatives (petition procedure)
	47. Principles of European administration (staff regulation measures)
	48. Negotiation of withdrawal agreement
	49. Judicial appointments panel (composition and operation)
	50. Role of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in CFSP implementing measures (measures proposed by the High Representative following a specific request from the European Council)

European Council

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether a document containing proposals relating to the decisions taken at the European Council on 21 and 22 June, referred to in Presidential Conclusions (Doc. 11177/07), was available to his predecessor prior to 7 June; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The German presidency first released a draft mandate for the Inter-Governmental Conference on the evening of 19 June. This document was discussed at the European Council.

European Council

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2007, Official Report, column 251W, on the European Council, when the Presidency Conclusions were received by the Government.

Jim Murphy: The Presidency Conclusions were received by the Government at the European Council.

Iraq: Oil

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has consulted major UK oil companies on contracts for them in Iraq.

Meg Munn: The Government have not held discussions on oil contracts in Iraq with any major British oil companies.

Iraq: Oil

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when officials from his Department first received a copy of the draft Iraqi oil law.

Meg Munn: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials first obtained a copy of a draft of the hydrocarbons law at the end of October 2006.

Iraq: Peace-keeping Operations

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Iraq Commission's report on the future of British policy in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: We welcome all constructive contributions to the ongoing debate on policy in Iraq. Many of the recommendations in the Iraq Commission's report are in line with the policies we are already pursuing. We continue to work hard to support the Government of Iraq in its efforts to establish security, deliver basic services and make progress on national reconciliation. The most important figures in determining the future of Iraq are Iraqis themselves, but we believe the international community and states in the region have a key role to play in supporting the Iraqi government.

Italy: Diplomatic Service

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to  (a) the answer of 16 April 2007,  Official Report, column 37W, on Italy: diplomatic service, and  (b) evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee on 17 July 2004 from former ambassador Sir Ivor Roberts, if he will now place in the Library a copy of Sir Ivor's valedictory telegram following its circulation to about 4,000 recipients; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: As my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Margaret Beckett) outlined in her answer to my hon. Friend on 16 April 2007,  Official Report, column 37W, Sir Ivor Roberts provided advice in his valedictory telegram on a confidential basis. Placing a copy of this telegram in the Library of the House would be likely to inhibit the frank and confidential provision of advice.

Russia: Sanctions

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to inform the House when he  (a) relaxes and  (b) varies any of the sanctions against Russia to which he referred in his statement on 16 July 2007,  Official Report, column 22, on Alexander Litvinenko (case update).

Jim Murphy: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 23 July 2007,  Official Report, column 710W.

Sudan: Sanctions

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the current UK and EU sanctions against Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: Sanctions are most successful when implemented multilaterally. The EU has an effective arms embargo in place covering the whole of Sudan. The existing UN arms embargo, established in UN Security Council Resolution 1591, applies to rebels in the whole of Sudan, but to the Government of Sudan (GoS) in Darfur only. Amnesty International and the Panel of Experts have reported that all sides are violating the UN arms embargo. Such reports highlight the limitations in the UN arms embargo.
	Sanctions are an important tool for applying pressure on the Sudanese Government. We consider that it was the threat of further UN sanctions that persuaded the Sudanese Government to agree to the hybrid AU-UN peacekeeping force on 12 June. This is a significant achievement and an important step towards restoring stability, the protection of civilians and ensuring full humanitarian access in Darfur.
	We will maintain pressure on the GoS and rebels, and will pursue further targeted sanctions against any party that obstructs progress on the peacekeeping force, ceasefire, political process or humanitarian access.

Taiwan: Nuclear Power

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of Taiwan on its plan to expand its civil nuclear energy programme.

Meg Munn: The UK does not recognise Taiwan as a state or country, nor its authorities as a government.
	However, we have strong commercial, educational and cultural links with Taiwan and discussions have taken place between UK Trade and Investment, including an export promoter from London, and the Taiwanese Atomic Energy Council. No commercial prospects were found. We have a good dialogue with the Bureau of Energy on renewable sectors. We have been asked about the prospects for further nuclear development in the UK.

Tibet: Passports

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK recognised the validity of Tibetan passports for travel to the UK before the Chinese invasion of Tibet.

Meg Munn: A Tibetan trade delegation entered the UK on passports issued by the autonomous Tibetan authorities on 20 November 1948. Official records of whether other Tibetan passports were accepted by the UK during this period are not readily available.

Uganda: Politics and Government

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he made of the transition to multi-party democracy in Uganda; what reports he has received that the old one-party ideological training institute at Kyankwanzi is still used to instil the ruling National Movement Organisation political ideologies in Ugandan civil servants, police and military personnel; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: In February 2006 Uganda held its first multi-party elections in 25 years. The reintroduction of a multi-party system was an important achievement. However there is still much to be done, particularly with regard to respect for the independence of the judiciary and political space for the opposition.
	It is essential, therefore, that the government and the opposition parties continue to work together to embed the evolving multi-party democracy and ensure transparency. The UK, along with other international partners, has a regular dialogue with the Government of Uganda on all aspects of developing multi-party democracy.
	We are aware that the Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute remains in use and is responsible for preparing senior government officials. We have no specific reports on what training is provided.

UK Membership of EC: Ethnic Groups

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what campaigns her Department has commissioned to raise awareness of the effect of membership of the European Union for the United Kingdom among  (a) ethnic minority and  (b) immigrant groups in the United Kingdom.

Jim Murphy: The Government are committed to engaging with the UK public on EU issues.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office hosts the www.europe.gov.uk website and has produced a "Guide to the European Union" publication. Working with colleagues across Government, we continue to support activities to generate greater public awareness of EU issues and a more mature debate about them.

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Departments: Equality

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what response his Department has made to the Commission for Racial Equality's assessment of its Race Equality Scheme; and how his Department plans to continue to monitor its Race Equality Scheme.

Patrick McFadden: On 31 October 2006 we responded to the Commission for Racial Equality stating that the detailed comments provided will be used to inform our work to review the race equality scheme in the future.
	Progress against the action plans detailed in the race equality scheme is reviewed as part of our annual departmental report and we will publish the first report on the equality schemes in 2008.

Departments: Equality

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  what action his Department has taken to mainstream the impact assessment and consultation arrangements set out in the Race Equality Scheme;
	(2)  how race equality impact assessments and departmental consultation exercises are taken into account in his Department's policy making process;
	(3)  whether any new mechanisms for  (a) monitoring,  (b) consultation and  (c) responses to consultation in relation to the Race Equality Scheme have been put in place by his Department;
	(4)  how his Department ensures that existing policies are assessed in accordance with the Race Equality Duty; and whether his Department has identified any adverse implications for some racial groups resulting from departmental policies.

Patrick McFadden: BERR follows Government-wide guidance on the conduct of consultations and impact assessment. A new impact assessment process was launched in May 2007. Equality impact assessments are an integral part of that process.
	Officials from across BERR are being trained in the new procedures. We aim to ensure that equality impacts are properly considered as part of the evidence base in the policy development process.
	BERR and its Agencies recognise the importance of monitoring our policies and services for impacts on race equality and obtaining feedback from stakeholders.
	When BERR published its race equality scheme in June 2006 we reviewed and updated guidelines first issued in 2003 and incorporated them into a 'Toolkit for Equality Duties'. This includes advice on different monitoring methods including statistical analysis, qualitative analysis and customer surveys. No departmental policies to date have been assessed as having adverse implications for racial groups.
	Progress against the action plans detailed in the race equality scheme is reviewed as part of our annual departmental report and we will publish the first report on the equality schemes in 2008.

Energy Supply: Meters

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  what consideration will be made in the forthcoming consultation on smart meters of the potential introduction of meters with internal communications and displays instead of pure real time displays; and what assessment he has made of the effect such an introduction would have on the UK's implementation of the Energy Services Directive;
	(2)  whether gas supplies will be considered as part of the forthcoming consultation on smart meters;
	(3)  if he will meet industry representatives to discuss the forthcoming consultation on smart meters.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 19 July 2007
	The Government will shortly issue a consultation on its approach to billing, smart metering and display devices. This consultation will cover electricity, gas and heat. My Department, as part of that consultation process, will continue to have further discussions with interested parties, including energy suppliers, meter manufacturers, and consumer and environmental groups. Information from the consultation and other work being undertaken by the Government, Ofgem and energy suppliers will inform the Government's approach on smart meters as a whole, including implementation of article 13 of the energy service directive.

Energy Supply: Meters

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how the roll-out of smart meters in the UK is planned to be funded.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government will shortly issue a consultation document on metering and billing, including smart metering. Information from the consultation and other work being undertaken by the Government, Ofgem and energy suppliers will inform the Government's approach on smart meters.

Energy Supply: Russia

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the net value of traded energy stocks was between Russia and the UK in the latest year for which figures are available.

Malcolm Wicks: Estimates of the quantities and value of British trade specifically with Russia of coal and oil during 2005 are available electronically in Annex G of the current Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/statistics/source/trade/page18526.html and are reported as follows.
	
		
			   Crude oil  Steam coal 
			   Imports  Exports  Imports  Exports 
			 Quantity (million tonnes) 7.05  16.75  
			 Value ( billion) 1.46  0.65(1)  
			 (1) Based on average import value per tonne. 
		
	
	It is not possible to ascertain what share of gas or electricity imports passing through third countries may have originated in Russia.

Energy Supply: Russia

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what percentage of energy used in the UK is imported from Russia; and what types of energy are imported from that country.

Malcolm Wicks: Based on data published in Annex G of the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/statistics/source/trade/page18526.html, direct energy imports from Russia during 2005 consisted of coal (11.5 Mtoe) and crude oil (7.0 Mtoe), which in total represented approximately 7.5 per cent. of primary energy demand in the UK. It is not possible to ascertain how much gas or electricity passing through third countries may have originated in Russia.
	It should be noted that, as a result of commercial decisions, around two-thirds of the UK's crude oil production is exported annually such that UK net imports of crude oil in 2005 were only 0.9 million tonnes.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much has been refunded by firms of solicitors who abused the terms of payment in respect of the Miners' Compensation Scheme, broken down by firm.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department meets the costs of claimants' legal representatives under the terms of both the Vibration White Finger and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease schemes. However, we would not be privy to any additional agreement reached between claimants and their solicitors.
	Despite this, the Department understands that solicitors have repaid well over 2.5 million to date as a result of actions taken by the Department to draw attention to these issues as well as actions taken by the Legal Complaints Service and Solicitors Regulation Authority. The Department is unable to provide a breakdown of this figure by firms of solicitors.

Industrial Disputes: Arbitration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate his Department has made of the cost to  (a) the Government,  (b) businesses and  (c) employees of making mediation a compulsory step in employment disputes.

Patrick McFadden: The Department has made no estimate of these costs. The arguments for and against compulsory mediation were assessed by Michael Gibbons in his independent review A review of Employment Dispute Resolution in Great Britain, published in March 2007. The review concluded that
	the Government should adopt a voluntary approach to encourage and enable more use of alternative dispute resolution techniques in order to settle disputes early.

Industrial Disputes: Arbitration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations his Department has received from trade unions on mediation in employment disputes.

Patrick McFadden: The Department has received a number of representations in response to its consultation, Resolving disputes in the workplace, which closed on 20 June. These include representations from trades unions. We are currently assessing all responses to the consultation and the Government will publish its plans for the way forward in due course. Responses will be made available in the public domain.

Industrial Disputes: Arbitration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether his Department holds figures on the proportion of employees which work for the same company following the resolution of an employment dispute  (a) through mediation and  (b) through other forms of resolution.

Patrick McFadden: The information is as follows:
	 (a) The Government do not hold records on the outcome of private mediation, which is a confidential process between the parties concerned.
	 (b) Statistics on disputes which Acas helps to resolve through providing conciliation services are included in the Acas annual report. Statistics on disputes resolved through employment tribunals may be found in the employment tribunal service annual report. This includes figures for the number of orders of reinstatement made by tribunals. There is no system for tracking the employment history of claimants to tribunals after the end of the tribunal process and so the Government have no figures for the proportion of employees who remain with the same employer following the resolution at tribunal of their dispute.

Industrial Disputes: Small Businesses

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment his Department has made of the costs and benefits of compulsory mediation in employment disputes involving small firms.

Patrick McFadden: The arguments for and against compulsory mediation were assessed by Michael Gibbons in his independent review A review of Employment Dispute Resolution in Great Britain, published in March 2007. The review concluded that:
	the Government should adopt a voluntary approach to encourage and enable more use of alternative dispute resolution techniques in order to settle disputes early.

Post Office Card Account

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many adults without access to a bank account have a Post Office Card Account.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 17 July 2007
	As Minister in DWP with responsibility for the Post Office card account I have been asked to reply.
	There are just over four million customers currently using Post Office card accounts. Research for the Financial Inclusion Taskforce(1) showed that around 73 per cent. of people with a Post Office card account also had access to a bank account. This suggests that around one million Post Office card account customers do not have access to a bank account.
	(1) Access to Financial Services by those on the Margins of Banking, published in November 2006.

Regional Development Agencies: Flint Bishop

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether each regional development agency has made payments to Flint Bishop solicitors since 1997.

Stephen Timms: I am informed that the Regional Development Agencies have made no payments to Flint Bishop Solicitors.

Severn Barrage

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether primary legislation will be required to implement any proposal to build a Severn tidal barrage.

Malcolm Wicks: There is a distinct possibility that primary legislation will be required. This will be dependent on the nature of the proposal.